There is

some bad news coming your way. Despite the fact that we

recently celebrated the summer solstice, summer is half

over. It may feel as hot as summer and be as insect

plagued as any summer, but within the next few days we

will have crossed over into the second half. It is clear

because the professional sports leagues that play their

sports in the summer, have their all star breaks this

week.

The Atlanta

Silverbacks, Atlanta's A-League soccer team, had its

all-star game last night. Currently, the Silverbacks are

6-9 in their division. Many of the young team's games

have been close, often their losses come within one goal.

The Silverbacks are scheduled to play the Charleston

Battery Saturday evening.

The Atlanta

Classics, Atlanta's W-League team, is in second place in

its division, behind last year's champs (also the team

that knocked the Classics out of the championship) the

Raleigh Wings. Their record is 6-3 and they start a

three-game road trip tonight. The Classics are full of

talented players from the region, all with aspirations to

continue playing at higher levels.

And who

could forget the Braves? The All Star game is Tuesday

night and for the first time in years there is not a

Brave starting the game.

It has been

an odd season for the Bravos. At the time of this

release, they lead the Mets by three games and were

winding up a series with the Marlins. They have been in

first place all season and that is with the loss of

Andres Gallaraga, injuries to John Smoltz, Walt Weiss,

and Javy Lopez, plus a bull pen that lost Mark Wohlers

but still performed outstandingly and has looked

problematic of late, and an ERA that is not

representative of the talent on the team.

What will

happen after the break, you wonder? The Silverbacks will

have 13 games left before the playoffs begin in

September. They must get more production from their

offense, controlling the tempo of the game and making

opportunities out of a tough defense. There is also a

chance that the Miami Fusion, the Silverbacks' MLS team,

will send some players down to Atlanta and bring some of

the Silverbacks up. It would definitely change the course

of the second half of the season.

The Atlanta

Classics are doing great so far. Their offense is

supercharged, scoring numerous goals against tough

opponents. The team is mostly made up of college soccer

players from around the South. In the second half of

their season, the Classics must continue their pressure

and also limit their defensive letdowns. Their toughest

competition comes from their rivals, the Raleigh Wings.

The two teams will face each other several more times

before the playoffs.

The Braves

should continue their winning pace and make the playoffs,

but the Mets will give them fits when they meet again at

the end of the season. They should probably make a trade

or two, but you wonder what position they should bolster

first.

The bull

pen could use another pitcher just to assure Rocker his

rest every now and then. A first baseman would be nice,

but Gallaraga should be back in the spring. The rumors of

Ken Griffey Jr. coming to Atlanta before the end of the

season keep percolating as well.

Most

likely, the starting pitching will continue to improve

and the bull pen will lose a little confidence and become

a tad rusty. The bats have been very active this year,

thanks to new hitting coach Don Baylor, and they are

manufacturing more runs than ever this year. A World

Series appearance isn't out of the question for the

Braves, but we have all said that before.

To purchase

tickets for the Silverbacks call 404-377-5575 or visit

their Web site at www.atlantasilverbacks.com. The

Classics box office can be reached at 770-TRY-FOOT or at

their Web site at www.atlantaclassics.com . Braves tickets can

be purchased through Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400 or on

the Braves official Web site; www.atlantabraves.com .

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