(Womens Football Alliance) The final 8 becomes 4 tomorrow

You can view the the game at 6pm EST on US Sports Network

Take Five: DC Divas Meet Boston Militia in Eastern Conference Semifinals on July 13th
Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – When you watch the DC Divas and Boston Militia square off on the football field, there’s a good chance you’ll see something unprecedented in the sport of women’s football. Saturday will be no different.

For the fifth straight year, the DC Divas and Boston Militia will face off in the playoffs when the Divas travel to Dilboy Stadium Saturday; no other pair of women’s football teams has ever met in the playoffs more than three seasons in a row. In addition, this fifth playoff meeting between the Divas and Militia will tie the all-time record for playoff games between two teams, which is currently held by the Sacramento Sirens and Seattle Majestics (who met in the playoffs in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2012).

The Divas defeated the Militia in 2009 for the Eastern Conference championship to advance to their second national title game. But DC has been eliminated from the playoffs by Boston in each of the last three seasons, with the Militia capturing national championships in 2010 and 2011. The Boston Militia have made the playoffs five times in franchise history, and each and every time, the Divas have been there to provide opposition.

When these two teams last played, they combined to score 135 points, the highest scoring game in women’s football history. Not surprisingly, Divas head coach Alison Fischer doesn’t expect too many changes from Boston’s offense this time around.

“We expect Boston to have the same game plan and run the same kind of plays they always do,” Fischer remarked. “They execute very well, and they’re very efficient. They pretty much just challenge you to stop what they’re doing. Their offensive line blocks extremely well, and Whitney Zelee runs hard. She’s a tough runner to bring down once she gets past the line of scrimmage.”

On the other hand, Fischer doesn’t want to make too many changes to her team’s offense, either. “We have the potential to be very explosive offensively, and we’ve shown that at times,” Fischer said. “We want to do the same thing as Boston – execute well and stay with the things we do best. We have to stick to our game plan, too.”

The WFA playoffs have taken a three-week hiatus while the IFAF Women’s World Championship was being held, and as always, the time off is a dual-edged sword. “The break is always good to heal when you have folks with injuries,” Fischer acknowledged. “Breaks always concern me, though, because you do have a tendency to get sluggish. But I think we’ve looked pretty fresh this week, so I feel good about that.”

The northeast has always been a strong region for American women’s football, and the winner of Saturday’s game will claim regional supremacy for the 2013 season. For the ninth time in franchise history, the DC Divas have an opportunity to play for a berth in a conference championship game, and a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference championship is one that isn’t lost on Fischer.

“This is a huge game. We’ve been here so frequently that some people probably take it for granted, but there are only eight teams left,” she concluded. “There are a lot of outstanding football teams on the East Coast and that makes it rough over the course of a season. But we’re a very good team, and if we play well, we’ll be successful.”

Most Consecutive Playoff Meetings in Women’s Football, All-Time
DC DIVAS-BOSTON MILITIA – 5 (2009-2013)
New York Sharks-Atlanta Xplosion – 3 (2005-2007)
Dallas Diamonds-Houston Energy – 3 (2004-2006)
Dallas Diamonds-So Cal Scorpions – 3 (2004-2006)
Sacramento Sirens-Seattle Majestics – 3 (2003-2005)
Oklahoma City Lightning-Pensacola Power – 3 (2003-2005)

Eriel Jeffery Named Head Volleyball Coach

BOWIE, Md. - Bowie State Athletic Director Anton Goff announces the appointment of Eriel Jeffery as head volleyball coach of the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team. Jeffrey's previously served four seasons as an assistant coach for the Lady Bulldogs.

Before coaching at Bowie State, the Southern California native coached the high school varsity volleyball team at Archbishop Carroll, a Catholic college preparatory program located in Washington, D.C., and assisted various high school programs and camps around the area.

Prior to her coaching career, Coach Jeffery played collegiate volleyball at The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, located in Princess Anne, MD, where she earned many accolades and awards. Coach Jeffery was a dominant force on the volleyball team while attending UMES and was no stranger to being a scholar athlete, as she was also in the honors program and an active member of Sigma Tau Delta (an English honor society).

Coach Jeffery earned her bachelor’s degree in English from UMES and is currently completing a master’s degree (in the same field) from Bowie State University. Additionally, she is a full-time employee of Prince George’s County, who works as a high school English teacher.

Six Big Train Players Named to All-Star Team; BT Comeback Comes Up Short

Six Big Train Players Named to All-Star Team The Big Train would like to congratulate the six players that have been recognized by the CRCBL to represent the team as All-Stars in the showcase that is scheduled to be played at Shirley Povich Field on July 17th. The game will also be preceeded by a home run derby and entry is free to all those in possession of a Big Train Season Pass. Bubba Derby (San Diego State) has been simply phenomenal so far this season. He leads the CRCBL in almost every pitching category (including his perfect 0.00 earned run average) and has led the Big Train to victory every time he has taken the mound. Michael Boyle (Radford) has been almost as un-hittable and currently holds a 0.38 ERA, a .667 WHIP, and has 23 strikeouts compared to just five walks over 24 innings of work. He has been the winning pitcher in all four of his starts. Zach Morris (Maryland) has been a solid starter for the Big Train so far this season. He has started five games and never pitched fewer than five innings and has picked up wins in two of his last three starts. David Del Grande (Sacramento State) has been the team's best hitter and lead-off hitter all season. He is leading the CRCBL in being hit by pitches (12), second in runs scored (21), fifth in stolen bases (8), and top ten in both doubles and batting average. He has also become a fan favorite for his great defense in centerfield. Josh Spano (High Point) has proven that he is the best defensive catcher in the CRCBL by throwing runners out who were trying to steal and even some who had just strayed a little too far off their base. He's also used his understanding of pitching tactics at the plate where he's struck out just five times so far. Tim Yandel (Tulane) has also been a great help on defense. Splitting time between second base and shortstop, Yandel's glove has saved more than a few runs for Big Train pitching. At the plate, he's known for his solid approach and making opposing pitchers work hard.  Big Train Comeback Comes Up Short   The Big Train traveled into Gaithersburg on Wednesday to take on the Giants at Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park. | Box Score Bubba Derby (San Diego State) started for the Big Train, and struck out five batters. However, the Giants got to Derby for five runs, four of them earned. After the Giants scored two runs in the first inning, the Big Train offense would get its first run in the top of the second, as an RBI groundout by Parker Guinn (Washington) scored Tim Yandel (Tulane). The Giants scored another run in the bottom half of the second, but the Big Train got that run back in the fourth as Tucker Tobin (George Mason) scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one run. After the Giants scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, Will Resnik (High Point) came in to relieve Derby in the sixth inning. With the Big Train trailing by three at the time, Resnik kept the game within reach, giving up no runs on just two hits over his three innings of work. However, the Giants scored two more runs off Trevor Charpie (Tennessee) in the eighth, giving the Big Train offense a five-run deficit to overcome in the top of the ninth. The ninth inning would get off to a good start for the Big Train, as Guinn andDavid Del Grande (Sacramento State) drew back-to-back walks. A ground ball by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech) and an RBI single by Ty France (San Diego State) scored both runners, to cut the Giants lead to 7-4. However, the next three Big Train batters went down and the Giants would win the game 7-4. Bethesda will play an (almost) doubleheader against the Vienna Riverdogs on Thursday before finishing this week's road trip with a game in Alexandria against the Aces on Friday. Tomorrow's game will be an almost doubleheader as the first game is a continuation of a suspended game and the second game will be only seven innings long. The first game will restart in the top of the first inning, the Big Train up 2-0, one out, runners on first and second base, and a one-ball, one-strike count. The Big Train will then return to Povich Field on Saturday night to take on the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.  It's Superhero Night, so come hang out with Spiderman, clang fists with Iron Man, or meet the Dark Knight himself. Also, we will be offering dollar hot dogs and all fans in attendance will get a season souvenir program! Players from the Rockville Victors professional basketball team will be in attendance signing autographs. With just nine regular-season home games remaining before the playoffs, don't miss your chance to see the team before it's too late! The gates open at 6:00 and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:30. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.

Fastest growing cancer in the U.S.? Not exactly...

Everyone Says This Cancer is Growing By Leaps and Bounds — We Found Something Different...     Dr. Mehmet Oz and many other media outlets have made headlines about the fact that thyroid cancer is now the fastest growing cancer in the United States. And according to Dr. Oz, three out of four of the new diagnoses are women. The New York Times says the number of new cases among women nearly doubled from 2000 to 2008.     The soaring rate of thyroid cancer is not just an American problem. According to a review article published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology1, the uptick in the rate of thyroid cancer has been noted worldwide.     Should you be alarmed? Yes, somewhat -- but maybe not as much as you think. Here's what our research team found... Continued below... The Golden Age of Antibiotics is over     The Golden Age of Antibiotics is over. For 60 years we have lived protected by these AMAZING drugs. Lives have been saved… Billions of lives.     True, there have been complications, but that's because of abuse, not because of the wonderful life-saving properties of antibiotics.     But it's over: resistant strains are emerging like wildfire. Now there are dozens of deadly bacteria, some resistant to all known drugs.     You need to learn about alternatives. There are many safe, effective traditional remedies, which were eclipsed by antibiotics, but they worked then and will work now.     Prof. Keith Scott-Mumby, one of the world's most advanced alternative MDs, has written a comprehensive guidebook detailing every single alternative to antibiotics. He's backed up every word with solid science. You need to get this book and read it, NOW…     Don't wait… bacteria strike within hours and can be fatal SAME DAY. Click this link and be ready to save your own life and that of your loved ones.     Frankly, this alarming trend has doctors a bit puzzled. NCI statistics reveal that in the years between 1997 and 2006, the U.S. incidence of thyroid cancer increased by more than 6 percent each year, adding up to near-double over that period.     But don't panic. There may be less to it than meets the eye. As with many other types of cancer, early detection methods have vastly improved, AND doctors use them more aggressively than ever before.     So this accounts for a large part of the new trend: The cancers were always there, and now they're finding them thanks to new technology. Dr. Otis Brawley, former chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, has suggested that most of the thyroid cancers now being diagnosed would never have become a health threat.     "Our technology has gotten so good that we are finding cancers today that even 15 years ago would not have been diagnosed," according to Dr. Brawley. "We're finding and treating cancers that would never have killed anyone."     I respect Dr. Brawley because he's one of the few mainstream doctors who are openly critical of the way cancer medicine is practiced in the United States today. See Issue #212for more about his brave challenge.     I think he's right about over-diagnosis. A study published in the Journal of The American Medical Association found that 87 percent of the "increase" in the number of new thyroid cancers was due to diagnoses of small papillary thyroid cancers, many of which would never have caused any problem. (JAMA, May 10, 2006; issue 295)     Having said this, I don't totally discount the sharp increase in thyroid cancer. Some of it is probably due to over-exposure to X-rays. When it comes to radiation causing thyroid cancer, dental X-rays and mammograms are the prime suspects. And the latter would account for why most of the "epidemic" is among women. I wrote about X-rays as a cause of cancer just last week, in Issue #305. It's a serious national problem.     Fortunately, the survival rate for thyroid cancer is quite high. I don't take ANY cancer lightly, but this is one you can probably handle if you have the bad luck to get it. Ok, remind me what my thyroid does...     Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck near your collarbone. It's one of your hormone-producing endocrine glands. Thyroid hormones control a variety of important processes, such as: How fast you burn calories How fast your heart beats How your body experiences temperature changes How much calcium you have in your blood     When your thyroid is a normal size, you can't feel it. But if your thyroid swells, this produces what's called a goiter. These may be harmless—but they can also be a sign of iodine deficiency or other inflammation problems.     It's possible that both goiter and thyroid cancer are on the rise because consumption of iodine has fallen. Low iodine levels are also implicated in breast cancer.     It used to be that public health officials were concerned about goiter. To protect the public from thyroid problems, many brands of bread were enriched with iodine and, of course, most table salt was iodized. That's no longer the case. The average American is now iodine-deficient. (See Issue #9 for more about this subject.)     To make sure your iodine levels are healthy, the simplest option is probably to take a kelp supplement, readily available in health food stores. I use the Nature's Way brand, but there are many others.     If you have a sluggish thyroid, the condition is called hypothyroidism. You may experience unexpected weight gain… feel constant fatigue… and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures…     A hyperactive thyroid produces more hormones than your body needs—a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Excess thyroid hormone can cause weight loss, a rapid heart rate, and make you overly sensitive to heat.     Besides iodine deficiency, the two biggest risk factors for thyroid cancer are: Large doses of radiation therapy—having more than five x-rays each year (even dental x-rays) increases your risk Genetics—having parents or siblings with thyroid cancer puts you at greater risk     As I said earlier, papillary thyroid cancer accounts for about 80 percent of all cases. Patients usually are diagnosed in their mid-40s. And women get this cancer about three times more often than men.     So you might be wondering… How to find this silent, stealthy cancer     By some estimates, as many as 59 million Americans have undiagnosed thyroid problems.     Doctors sometimes find them during routine physical exams. Or you may notice a growth in your neck area when looking in the mirror. Other signs that you may have thyroid problems include: Difficulty swallowing or breathing Hoarseness Lingering cough unrelated to a cold Pain or swelling in the neck     Undiagnosed thyroid problems can put you at risk for a number of health problems including anxiety and depression, hair loss, heart disease, infertility, sexual dysfunction and more.     The ideal would be to catch any potential problems before they damage your overall health.     Your doctor may use a variety of tests to diagnose thyroid cancer, including: Blood tests—blood samples are checked for abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Your pituitary gland makes TSH to stimulate the release of thyroid hormone and control how fast thyroid cells grow. Excess TSH may be a sign of a diseased thyroid. Laryngoscopy—your doctor checks your larynx with a mirror or laryngoscope to see if the vocal cords are moving normally or if they are inhibited by a thyroid tumor. Surgical biopsy—involves removing the thyroid nodule or one lobe of the thyroid so that a pathologist can view cells and tissues under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. Ultrasound exam—this procedure can show the size of a thyroid tumor and whether it is solid or filled with fluid. Doctors can also use an ultrasound test to perform a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.     If you receive a thyroid cancer diagnosis, you'll most likely hear that your treatment options involve chemotherapy, radiation and possibly surgery — the familiar "cut, burn and poison." As you know if you read this newsletter, I strongly prefer natural and alternative methods of treating cancer. Particularly for slow-growing and most-likely-harmless papillary thyroid cancer, I would try alternatives first.     The treatment a conventional doctor recommends will depend on the type and stage of your thyroid cancer.     Doctors may opt to remove all of the gland or just a portion with surgery. If you have the entire gland removed, you have less chance of any recurring cancers.     But in either case—you'll have to take hormone medications for life to supply the missing hormone your thyroid would normally produce.     If doctors recommend radioactive iodine treatments, you may experience nausea, pain and an altered sense of taste or smell.     If you're wondering about natural treatments to help with thyroid problems, I found an interesting article on this subject. Natural medicine practitioner Shasta Tierra says there are herbal, lifestyle, and dietary choices that can help your whole body, including your thyroid.     I don't wholeheartedly endorse her approach because I have no personal experience with it, but it's a good example of how natural practitioner might look at the problem (http://thyroid.about.com/cs/expertinterviews/a/shasta.htm).     Ms. Tierra says that because the liver and kidneys play a large role in converting thyroid hormones, herbs that help cleanse these organs can be helpful.     She recommends herbs such as guggul, which is made from a tree sap native to India, and triphala as a natural laxative. She also recommended eating seaweeds such as kelp, dulce and nori, which contain natural iodine that can support a healthy thyroid. This is also true of saltwater fish, shellfish and even soy sauce.     As always, I have confidence in the alternative cancer approaches we've checked out and published in our Special Reports such as Outsmart Your Cancer, How to Cure Almost Any Cancer at Home for $5.15 a Day, and The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure. These are all available on our website at www.cancerdefeated.com.     These preventive measures could go a long way toward reducing your risks of being a victim of this stealthy cancer.     By the way, mainstream doctors are always delighted to jump in and treat cancer aggressively. Not so with milder thyroid problems. If you have the fatigue, cold body temperatures and depression associated with common low thyroid function, I wish you luck in getting any help.     Generally a mainstream doctor won't diagnose low thyroid function because their tests set the bar so low for thyroid hormones, if you're still breathing your thyroid function is "normal" as far as they're concerned.     That's a shame because tens of thousands of cases of chronic fatigue and depression in this country are probably associated with low thyroid function. If you suffer from these problems and have had no luck finding help, I recommend consulting a naturopathic doctor.

BT Splits With DC; Support BT in Gaithersburg TONIGHT: Renfroe Signs

Big Train Split With Grays, Embark on Four-Game Road Trip    The Big Train returned home on Tuesday to play host to the DC Grays in a doubleheader at Povich Field. Box Score | VIDEO: Post Game Interviews (Colangelo, Del Grande, York) Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) got the start for the Big Train in Game 1 of Tuesday's action, and pitched a (seven-inning) complete game, giving up three runs on six hits, a walk, and a hit batter while striking out five. However,Ty France (San Diego State) hit an RBI single in the first inning wouldn't be enough offense, as the Big Train mustered just three hits and dropped the first game 3-1. In the second game, the Big Train bounced back. David Del Grande(Sacramento State) helped the cause immediately, hitting a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Big Train a 1-0 lead before a single out had been recorded. In the second inning, Josh Spano (High Point) drew a lead-off walk, and after being advanced to third base, scored on an RBI single by Harrison Bruce(San Francisco) to give the Big Train the early 2-0 lead. Michael Boyle (Radford) started the second game for Bethesda, and, like Collazo, pitched a complete game. Boyle pitched a seven-inning shutout on just three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Receiving some support from the offense, Boyle was able to pickup the win to help the Big Train split the two-game set. The Big Train hit the road again on Wednesday, as they play their first game of a four-game road trip against the Gaithersburg Giants at Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park. Bethesda will then play a doubleheader against the Vienna Riverdogs on Thursday before finishing the trip with a game in Alexandria against the Aceson Friday. The Big Train will return to Povich Field on Saturday night to take on the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.  It's Superhero Night, so come hang out with Spiderman, clang fists with Iron Man, or meet the Dark Knight himself. Also, we will be offering dollar hot dogs and all fans in attendance will get a season souvenir program! Players from the Rockville Victors professional basketball team will be in attendance signing autographs. With just nine regular-season home games remaining before the playoffs, don't miss your chance to see the team before it's too late! The gates open at 6:00 and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:30. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate. Hunter Renfroe Signs With Padres Hunter Renfroe (BT '11-'12 / Mississippi State) signed his contract to with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, inking a deal worth $2,678,000 for the #13 overall draft pick on this year's MLB Draft. | VIDEO: Hunter Interviewed Renfroe was in San Diego at Petco Park yesterday to give interviews and take some batting practice at the stadium that he hopes to play in someday soon. Renfroe is coming off a great season at Mississippi State as he led the Bulldogs to the Championship Series of the College World Series where they were ultimately defeated by UCLA. Renfroe was named an All-American and was taken 13th by the Padres in the First Year Player Draft. He will start his professional career with the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League (Short Season A) in Oregon. Joining him on that team is his Big Train teammate of two years, Michael Bass (BT '11-'12 / UNC-Wilmington). Bass was also drafted by the Padres this year. Renfroe and Bass were both members of the 2011 National Championship Bethesda Big Train. Renfroe is one of only two former players with his jersey number retired by the team and was both the highest pick ever of a former Big Train player and the the highest pick ever to have played in the CRCBL the previous summer.

Did a Leading Cancer Doctor Really Admit This?

If you asked oncologists what they really think of cancer treatments, you’d be shocked.

According to one report, when a leading doctor at the Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center found out that he had advanced‐stage cancer, he told his colleagues, “Do anything you want—but no chemotherapy!”

And he’s not alone. Another official reportedly refused to allow his mother to undergo “state‐of‐the‐art” therapy at his own hospital. What did he do? He sent her to Germany for “alternative” care.

But it’s not surprising when you consider the side effects of traditional treatment...hair loss, nausea, fatigue, cancer even!

So then why wouldn’t you hear more about a natural treatment? One that not only destroys cancer cells but leaves healthy ones untouched?

A study on people who received this treatment for cancer and other ailments noted that “the results have been spectacular; the only side effect is ‘chronic good health.’” 

You read that correctly. Chronic good health was the only side effect. That’s a far cry from any of the conventional methods you’ll hear about.

Go HERE to find out all the details including how the mainstream almost killed one of the greatest cancer discoveries in history. Prepare to be outraged.

German Cancer Breakthrough

Big Train Bats Come Up Giant Against Giants

Big Train Bats Come Up Giant Against Giants       The Big Train traveled to Gaithersburg for the first time on Monday evening to face the new Montgomery County rival Giants at Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park. | Box Score Zach Morris (Maryland) got the start for Bethesda, and gave the team five solid innings. Morris gave up just two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four. The Big Train offense got the scoring started in the fourth inning. After getting hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Ty France (San Diego State) stole second base to get into scoring position. Ricky Santiago (Florida Atlantic) hit an RBI single to center field that scored France to give the Big Train a 1-0 lead. After the Giants scored two off Morris in the bottom half of the inning, the Big Train responded in a big way in the top of the fifth. In the top of the fifth, Ryne Willard (Tallahassee CC) - pictured above - singled, Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) reached on an error, and David Del Grande (Sacramento State) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two runs scored as Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech) was hit by a pitch and France walked. That made it 3-2 Big Train with the bases still loaded and no outs. Santiago kept the scoring going by hitting a two-run single to left field.Tucker Tobin (George Mason) and Willard each hit RBI singles as well to push the score to 7-2. In the sixth, the Big Train added an insurance run, as Del Grande scored on an error to extend the lead to 8-2. Kit Scheetz (Virginia Tech) came in to relieve Morris in the sixth inning, and pitched three innings. He gave up just one hit and struck out two. Justin Hepner (San Diego State) closed out the game in the ninth to give Big Train the 8-2 win. The win secured the Montgomery Cup for the Big Train as they've secured an 8-0 record against the other teams in the county. The Big Train return home to Povich Field for a doubleheader against the D.C. Grays on Tuesday. The games are scheduled to start at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM, respectively, so come on out and get a two-for-Tuesday double dose of baseball!

Big Train Beat O's 9-8 in 10, Play at Vienna Tonight

Big Train Bats Prove Better, Down Orioles 9-8 in 10    The Big Train traveled to Glen Burnie on Saturday to play the Youse's Orioles in the first game of a three-game road trip. | Box Score Danny Mooney (Davidson) got the start for the Big Train, and gave up just two runs over five innings. Despite Mooney's strong performance, he'd ultimately receive a no-decision. The Big Train offense got going early, scoring multiple runs in the top of the first inning. After singles by David Del Grande (Sacramento State) and Ty France (San Diego State), a sacrifice fly by Ricky Santiago (Florida Atlantic) would give the Big Train the first run of the game. After a single by Mike Miedzianowski (High Point), a two-run double by Ryne Willard (Tallahassee CC) extended the lead to 3-0 heading into the bottom of the first. In the top of the second, the Big Train tacked on two more runs, as a one-out RBI single from Santiago scored Del Grande and Kevin Tatum (Cornell). The Orioles would get their runs off Mooney in the second and fifth innings to make the score 5-2. In the bottom of the seventh, the Orioles staged a comeback, getting to the Big Train bullpen for three runs and tying the game at five. The Big Train got those runs back in the top of the ninth, as RBIs by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech), Parker Guinn (Washington) and Del Grande put the team up 8-5. However, the Orioles once against mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, getting to the Big Train bullpen for three more runs. In the top of the tenth, Tim Yandel (Tulane) - pictured above - played hero for the Big Train, with a big one-out RBI double that scored Logan Farrar(Virginia Commonwealth) and gave Bethesda the 9-8 lead. Brock Larson (San Francisco) then pitched a scoreless bottom half of the inning, clinching the 9-8 victory for the Big Train. After 20 games, the Big Train now sit with a league-best 16-4 record, boasting an incredible .800 winning percentage. They take on the Vienna Riverdogs on Sunday afternoon before traveling to Gaithersburg on Monday to take on the third-place Giants at Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park. After the road trip is over, the Big Train return home to Povich Field for a doubleheader against the D.C. Grays on Tuesday. The games are scheduled to start at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM, respectively, so come on out and get a two-for-Tuesday double dose of baseball!

TEAM USA GOLD MEDAL RECAP

TEAM USA WINS GOLD, Defeats Canada in IFAF World Championship  

Vantaa, Finland. The US Women's tackle football team has won gold again, with a stunning
display of gridiron dominance that left all viewers and participants in a state of shock and awe.
The US women's team took the tournament by storm with record-setting defeats of Sweden (84-0) and
Germany (107-7) in pool play, followed by a 64-0 thrashing of Canada in the gold medal game.

The U.S. wasted no time against Canada, with Mia Brickhouse scoring on a 3 yard rush on the initial
possession. The scoring was fast and furious throughout, with six US players reaching the end zone.
Odessa Jenkins, Donna Wilkinson, Jeanette Gray, Adrienne Smith and Liz Sowers each scored a touchdown.
Running back Mia Brickhouse had four touchdowns, all on short yardage power sets. The U.S. team averaged
almost 9 yards a carry and were clearly winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. Offensive linewoman
Jamie Menzyk was named the game day MVP for opening running lanes with an assortment of pancake blocks. 

The US defense held the Canadians to just 56 yards of total offense, and in fact only allowed an average
of 44 yards per game throughout the tournament. In addition, the U.S. defense created 13 turnovers for the
tournament, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Leading tacklers in the gold medal game were
Vicky Eddy, Jennifer Plummer, Danielle Golay, Katie Sowers and Kim Marks.

American quarterbacks Sami Grisafe and Karen Mulligan combined for 23 completions in 28 attempts and
367 passing yards. There were three touchdown passes, all thrown by Grisafe who was named the overall
tournament MVP for her outstanding play throughout. Her three-game tournament total was 626 passing
yards, nine touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.

Head Coach John Konecki has now led the U.S. team to two successive gold medals. "These women are amongst
the best players in the world at their respective positions. It has been a privilege for me to coach
athletes of this caliber. I couldn't be more proud of my team than I am right now," said Konecki, his
voice cracking with emotion just moments after the win.

This is the second International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship,
with the U.S. also claiming gold in the 2010 inaugural event held in Stockholm, Sweden. This 2013
American team was again the favorite to win the gold, however no one could have anticipated they would
attain such a staggering margin of victory throughout by scoring 255 points in three games while
yielding just a single touchdown to the German team.

The forty-five women on Team USA were selected at tryouts held by USA Football and represent the
top players in the sport of women's tackle football. The American squad is recognized as such
internationally and have become ambassadors of the sport worldwide. The U.S. team will return home
tomorrow afternoon wearing gold medals and with the championship trophy in tow.

Stats and additional  tournament info is available at wwc2013.com.

"Fruit of the Angels" Stops Cancer in Its Tracks     Christopher Columbus discovered it in Mexico and called it the "fruit of the angels."     Some people think he chose the name because of the fruit's heavenly taste, unbelievable juiciness, and out-of-this-world scent.     But beyond its taste and aroma, scientists have confirmed this fruit's ability to stop cancer growth. Nor do its health benefits stop with cancer. Keep reading to discover everything this "super fruit" can do for you... Continued below. . . Oliver was doomed to die from cancer within 8 hours -- But then he found out what to do. . .     Oliver had reached the end of the road in his seven-year fight against cancer. His doctors didn't think this 32-year-old man would live through the night.     But when I talked to Oliver six years later, he was the picture of health! He got rid of his cancer completely.     Yes, Oliver found the answer — his own cancer miracle.     I sat down with him and his doctor and they told me an incredible story. . . a story that could help save you or someone you love from this dreaded disease.     If you'd like to hear it, click here now. The best cancer food these scientists could find     Out of 14 foods studied by scientists for the ability to stop breast cancer cell growth, papaya outshone them all.     The list of foods they examined included avocado, fuava, mango, prickly pear cactus, pineapple, grapes, tomato and papaya. They measured beta-carotene, total plant phenolics, gallic acid, and antioxidant capacity.     According to the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition (May 2009) papaya was the only one with significant success at halting breast cancer cells.     So what is it in papaya that induces cancer cell death?     Scientists believe it may be organo-sulfur compounds called isothiocyanates.     Animal experiments show that isothiocyanates protect against cancers of the breast, lung, pancreas, colon, prostate, and leukemia. What's more, they believe this protection may also apply to humans.     Isothiocyanates are believed to be capable of inhibiting both the initiation and development of cancer cells, through many pathways and mechanisms.1     Japanese researchers found that an isothiocyanate known as BITC controls the relationship between cell cycle regulation and appropriate cell death. As you probably know, when cancer cells die on schedule they're not a problem. It's their tendency to be almost immortal that makes them so deadly.     These researchers found that BITC's cancer-killing properties were more effective against proliferating cells than dormant ones — and of course the proliferating ones are the highly dangerous ones.2 Groundbreaking research on lab-grown tumors     Along with colleagues in Japan, University of Florida researcher Nam Dang, M.D. and Ph.D., documented papaya's dramatic anticancer properties versus several lab-grown tumors (including cervical, breast, liver, lung and pancreas).3     These researchers made an extract from dried papaya leaves, and exposed 10 types of cancer cell cultures to four different strengths of papaya for 24 hours. Papaya slowed the growth of tumors in all the cultures, but larger doses had stronger anticancer effects.     They also found that papaya leaf extract boosts the key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines, important for regulating your immune system.     You'd be happy to know that the papaya extract had no toxic effects on any normal cells — a problem with many cancer therapies, notably conventional ones. Papaya's success in this regard lines up with reports from indigenous populations in Australia and Vietnam, according to Dang, of the UF Shands Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office. It's important to note that papaya leaf extract is not the same as the fruit, but these findings suggest that both have the power to kill cancer cells.     A researcher at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D., is so convinced of papaya's awesome health powers that he personally eats a serving of papaya every day. Of course, you'd already know papaya can lick cancer if you owned a copy of our Complete Guide to Alternative Cancer Treatments. You can get a free copy of this 460-page book by joining our "platinum club," the Alternative Cancer Research Institute.     In the Complete Guide, an Australian man named Stan Sheldon, diagnosed with lung cancer in 1962, had this to say about papaya: "I was dying from cancer in both lungs when it was suggested to me as an old Aboriginal remedy. I tried it for two months and then I was required to have a chest X-ray.... They told me both lungs were clear."     That's an amazing story, and I certainly can't promise results like that. But if I had cancer I think I might add papaya to my diet! It sure can't hurt. The papain miracle — fights rogue proteins and more...     The reason for papaya's health-promoting powers is most likely papain — papaya's signature enzyme — found in both the fruit and the leaves.     Papain is a powerful proteolytic enzyme that facilitates chemical reactions within your body. It helps break down long-chain food proteins into small bits -- amino acids or short-chain peptides -- that your body can use. Proteolytic enzymes protect you from inflammation, and digest unwanted scar tissue both on your skin and under its surface.     Proteolytic enzymes like papain are powerful agents against cancer, heart and artery disease, arthritis pain and a whole range of other medical conditions. You can learn more about them in a Special Report I wrote myself called The Missing Ingredient for Good Health. I take enzymes daily and recommend them to everyone.     Unfortunately, as you age, your body's own production of digestive enzymes goes down, leaving you with excessive undigested proteins that can cause a shortfall of amino acids and an excess of unwanted bacteria and other toxins.     If undigested proteins penetrate your gut and escape into your bloodstream, they are treated by your immune system as invaders. Too many of these escapees, and your immune system gets overworked and can't keep up.     Eating papaya counteracts that problem, aids digestion and also helps replenish friendly intestinal bacteria. Papain provides the proteolytic power you need to free up your immune system to do its normal work.     Proteolytic enzymes can also digest and destroy the defense mechanisms of viruses, tumors, allergens, yeasts, and some types of fungus. Once their shield is destroyed, these menacing organisms are extremely vulnerable and your immune system can easily oust them. The awesome cancer-fighting power of lycopene     Papaya's orange-yellow-pink coloring is the visible sign of an awesome group of cancer-fighting carotenoids. The fruit boasts high amounts of beta-carotene, but lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) is also abundant.     University of Illinois scientists believe these antioxidants may be another reason why papaya is such a powerful cancer fighter.     This hypothesis seems to be backed by epidemiological studies, which show an inverse relationship between lycopene and prostate cancer risk. The higher a person's lycopene levels, the lower his risk of prostate cancer. And the good news is that oral lycopene is highly bioavailable and accumulates in prostate tissue.     Other experiments indicate that lycopene provokes cancer cell death, prevents metastasis, and encourages protective enzymes.4 If you're new to this newsletter, "metastasis" is the word for cancer spreading from the original site to other parts of the body. It's the signal for late stage cancer, which is very hard to cure.     An Australian study evaluated 130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospitalized controls.     They found that men consuming the most lycopene-rich fruits and veggies (like papaya) were 82 percent LESS likely to get prostate cancer. Green tea also showed a powerful anti-cancer effect. And the synergistic effect of both together was even better.5 Wipes out intestinal parasites     As mentioned earlier, papain improves digestion by breaking down protein and cleansing your digestive tract.     This means papain may destroy many an intestinal parasite, because parasites are mostly protein. Researchers Mariam Naseem and Muhammed Kamran at the University of Karachi, India, note that in Nigeria, 76.7 percent of children were able to shake off intestinal parasites in just seven days by drinking the juice of papaya seeds. If those results can be confirmed, they amount to a breakthrough in parasite treatment.     Similarly, if your body fails to break down proteins from your food, you're left with undigested protein that can make its way into your colon and contribute to gassiness, bloating, indigestion, and more. Also of value if you care about heart health (and who doesn't?)     Papaya is also a naturally occurring blood thinner that can reduce your risk of blood clots and optimize blood flow. It does this because the papain enzyme in papaya breaks down fibrin, the protein in the blood that creates clots and helps make blood thick and viscous. If you reduce fibrin levels you slash your risk of blood clots, which are the immediate cause of most strokes and heart attacks.     Papaya seeds also promote a healthy heart, by way of three powerful antioxidants — vitamins A, C, and E. Carotenoid phytonutrients in your body help prevent oxidation of cholesterol — which is the process that makes cholesterol stick to the walls of your blood vessels and form plaques that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.     Papaya's high fiber also has a cholesterol-controlling effect on your body. Protects your eyes from macular degeneration     As you probably know, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) can cause blurred vision, eventually leading to blindness. The antioxidant beta-carotene, which gives the orange color to papaya, is known to help prevent macular degeneration, according to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology. But note that it takes three or more servings of beta-carotene-rich fruits per day to lower your risk of macular degeneration. And more...     As you might expect of a whole food, papaya has extensive benefits throughout your system. Here's a quick list: General nutrition — nutrients such as carotenes, flavonoid and vitamin C, vitamin B, fiber, magnesium… Relief from toothache — you can massage it on teeth and gums for relief Skin — great as a rejuvenator and used in many cosmetics. Kills dead cells and purifies skin when used as a facial mask. Also used for disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, sores, wounds and ulcers. Anti-inflammatory — reduce inflammation systemically Female hormones — may help regularize menstrual periods by normalizing hormones Arthritis — its proteolytic enzymes may help control both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis Trouble in paradise: the risky side of papaya     Naturally, there's a caveat. And it's a biggie...     The vast majority (statistics vary, but around 80% seems to be the norm) of Hawaiian papayas are genetically modified. And cross-contamination to non-GMO crops is widespread throughout Hawaii — to the outrage of non-GMO growers.     The U.S. does not ban genetically modified papayas. But if you're reading this from Europe, you should be safe… the information we have indicates GMO papayas are banned in the EU.     One other caveat… due to its papain, it may be contra-indicated if you're on blood thinners or undergoing surgery soon. All proteolytic enzymes thin the blood. Consult your doctor on this. My recommendation is to wean yourself off pharmaceutical blood thinners by using natural proteolytic enzymes to do the same job. How to shop for papayas     The first thing you'll want to consider is buying organic. NOP standards prohibit GMO products from being labeled "organic".     Do not be deceived by the "natural" label, however. So-called natural foods can (and do) include GMO foods. The use of the word is almost completely unregulated.     We tried to find out for you which varieties are most likely to be genetically modified — or not — so you could avoid them. This is not an all-inclusive list, but it's a starting point to help you shop wisely. Please know that any GMO list is a moving target these days, and may change almost without notice. So it's a good idea to confirm this with your own research.     Non-GMO varieties: Solo / Kapoho Solo Tainung No. 1 Mexican Red / Mexican Yellow Orange Queen     GMO varieties: Rainbow Kamiya / Laie Gold / Kamiah Sunrise / SunUp     Incidentally, papaya has other names… including Papaw or Paw Paw (Australian), Mamao (Brazilian), or Tree Melon.     The two main varieties are from Hawaii and Mexico. And as already noted, most Hawaiian papayas are genetically modified. Mexican papayas can be as large as 20 pounds and 15 inches. Phew!     Like bananas, papayas turn from green to yellow as they ripen, which happens quickly at room temperature or in a paper bag.     If you can find organic and non-GMO sources, papaya can be a terrific adjunct to the rest of your healthy diet and provide an abundance of benefits — certainly including its cancer capabilities.