New Year a time for reflection

The coming new year affords us all the opportunity for reflection.

So we should all take a few moments to ponder where we're going in 2009. As Yogi Berra once said in his unique way, "You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there."

With that said, following are my 2009 resolutions:

Every year, I promise to get more exercise. Forget about size 34 pants, but maybe 38 could be done. Abdominal muscles, encased in a layer of fat, scream to get out. Polar bears can lose 900 pounds of fat during the warm weather. I've got to be able to shed another hundred. Help me out Mr. Bowflex! Using that jump rope might actually help, too.

I will continue to refrain from instructing and correcting referees and umpires at every level of athletics. First, it doesn't do squat. Second, it annoys nearby fans, particularly those cheering for teams other than those from Lodi. Third, it embarrasses my sports editor if I show too much hometown loyalty.

I will try to become less superstitious. If one of our local high school teams gets on a winning streak, I will remain open to the possibility of wearing a different 'lucky' coat, sitting in another 'lucky' chair, or driving to the game in a different car. Clearly, these trivialities have no affect on the outcome of the game. I can't take it too seriously. Last time I checked, Vegas was not laying a line on high school games.

I will refrain from complaining about the plight of the Bay Area and Sacramento sports franchises, including the one that plays basketball 40 miles down the road at Arco Arena. Antidepressants aren't necessarily that bad.

I will stop second-guessing management and managers. I will not complain about issues beyond my control. No worries about the strike zone, the length of time instant replay requires, anabolic steroids, high school recruiting violations, the hypocrisy of the NCAA or the blatant commercialism of the Olympics.

I will remain positive and thankful for many blessings and a few terrific friends. Realize how fortunate we all are to have our freedom, and thank so many who sacrifice to keep them. I will appreciate those in our city who have a caring, supportive family with reasonable health, and almost as much interest in sports as our players that play them.

An amazing transformation occurs every new year in our city which allows our young boys and girls to engage in various sports at different program levels and learn the value of sportsmanship and teamwork. It is great watching our local high school sports, which is pure passion without agents, billionaire owners or indifferent millionaire players.

As a sports writer, I am thankful for all the opportunities our local sports universe offers up for passion, energy, controversy and enjoyment. I promise to really try this year. Let us all create just a little sunshine, a little humor, a lot of fun, and great masses of energy as we move ahead on this remarkable journey called life. I can't speak for everyone else, but know that I don't spend enough time being thankful for life's pleasures, great and small.

As a citizen, I am thankful for the hardworking people who do their best to make our community a decent place to live. May 2009 bring joy and celebration to the local athletes, coaches and families in our community and may we all work together for a better world, or at least a better neighborhood.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you.

News-Sentinel sports writer Richard Banas can be reached at LodiSentnlSports@aol.com.

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