Phish Fan Code of Conduct for Alpine Valley

Is there a Phish fan code of conduct? When Phish plays Alpine Valley this summer, will someone who is seeing them for the first time have to watch what they say and do, beyond what's expected from any concert goer? I'm starting to get the feeling that as much as that Phish fans project a freewheeling, feel good, do-what-you-like, good time for all, they expect newbies to fall in line.

I'm reading a blog post from someone who has a six step instruction manual on how to attend a show. "Don't dress too crazy, nor conservative. Dance like you are having a good time, but don't bump into others. Walk the parking lot, even if you aren't going to buy anything. Don't cross over to other music scenes." This can't be true. Do I have to walk through Shakedown Street? Aren't those "vendors" a mix of t-shirt bootleggers, and non permit holding profiteers? Can't I wear my nice shirt to the show? I find it interesting when Deadheads and Phish fans complain that "the man" is putting them down, but they don't want to buy a vendor license or sell bootleg merchandise. I suppose that I'm going to be told that those people are not true fans. Yes, bootleg "merch" guys follow every band. I'm just talking about Phish's Shakedown street here. They come in much larger numbers, compared to other touring acts.

Ryan Braun and Corey Hart Both Working Their Way Back

Ryan Braun is in a slump. As of this post, he's had only one hit during spring training. He's also had three walks, so it's not as if the guy isn't getting on base. Still, the Brewers outfielder might be struggling to concentrate after the crazy off season he had. He had to weather some harsh cat calls during a "road" game against the Angels. He says that kind of stuff doesn't bother him at all. One would think that if you are going to weather a slump, you might as well do it when the games don't count.

All reports about his batting practices are good. He is not converting those times in the batting cage into productive hitting in game situations just yet. Some say that he's avoiding the media, and that might be true. He's got to get his head together and the rest will follow.

Corey Hart Opening Day Preparations

It looks like Corey Hart will be healed by opening day, but he's got some things to work out before he's in the lineup. First, Hart needs to stay on track with practices. A perfectly healthy knee is fine, but if he doesn't get enough time at the plate and on the field, Hart may have to sit out the first week of the regular season. The surgery itself is not very invasive. It's more about the time needed to ramp up to playing speed. The first few games are away from Miller Park. Perhaps he will be swinging the bat in Milwaukee by April 6.

Badgers Basketball Players Honored with Big Ten Awards

Five Badgers players were honored on Monday night with various All-Big-Ten awards. Jordan Taylor, Ryan Evans, Jared Berggren, Josh Gasser, and Rob Wilson all received recognition at the ceremony, Berggren and Evans making their first appearance as award winners.

The pair of newbies were both named honorable mention selections for the All-Big-Ten First Team. Berggren's contributions to the season included the most blocks by any Badger since 1995, leading the the conference with fifty-one. His ten point average and five rebounds per-game were also a factor in the committee's decision. Evans, meanwhile, could have been named the most improved player in the conference. He tripled his number of rebounds compared to last year, while his eleven points per contest is nearly four times better than his just three in 2010-11.

Wilson was the only other nominee to not be officially named to any All-Big-Ten Team. The guard was the recipient of the conference's Sportsmanship Award. The honor recognizes athletes who have demonstrated exceptionally good judgment and behavior while maintaining a good academic standing. The award also takes into account Wilson's contributions to the community, outside of school athletics.
Gasser is just the fifth Wisconsin player of all-time, and the first sophomore, to be named to the Big-Ten All Defensive Team. Michael Flowers, Joe Krabbenhoff, Trevon Hughes, and Taylor are the only others. Gasser's crucial efforts helped the team to lead the nation in scoring, and three point, defense. They also rank in the top three in field goal defense and defensive points-per-possession.
Taylor was by far the Badgers most productive player of the year. He is already a finalist for both the Cousy Award and Naismith Trophy; now coupling those with his second All-Big-Ten First Team nomination, just the sixth Badger to do so. He ended his career with the school on a high-note, leading the team in both non-conference and conference game scoring.