Air
Hockey
The air hockey page warns that if you aren't using Netscape, the site might
not look the way it's supposed to. I found no Netscape-only tricks to speak
of. In fact, I found a dry layout with even dryer pictures. But that's not
what Air Hockey is about, and the rest of the site is loaded with content,
including: bios of key air hockey personalities, rules and procedures, a
terminology glossary, and a few essay-type articles. So while you shouldn't
expect to be blown away by innovative design hoopla, this is a great site
for die-hard air hockey fans.-LS
B+
American
Poolplayers Association
The American Poolplayers Association site provides 8-ball rules and definitions;
What's New in the APA; the 1995-96 Calendar and Champion Results; and a
list of pool-related links. Though the design elements are not unsophisticated,
the pages are all identical, and, consequently, a little difficult to sift
through.-KB
C
Body
Mechanics
A resource for northwest competitive bodybuilders, Body Mechanics offers
training tips from a certified personal trainer; "Almost Non Fat Recipes;"and more dietary information than you can shake a glycemic index at. (*Way*
more.) Garry's Nutrition Hints is for hard-core hardbodies only. Other highlights
are a gallery of bodybuilding competitors flexing for the camera, and the
National Physique Committee's 1996 competition schedule. -KB
A
Flyfishing
Antventures
Yes, *Antventures*. It's short for Anthony. Anthony is seriously into flyfishing,
and if you are too, you should look at his page. There's lots of stories
about landing the big one, and pictures of guys up to their butts in cold
water, clutching fish, and grinning like raccoons. Anthony appears to be
a stand-up guy and square shooter, but if the appeal of the sport is lost
on you, don't bother dipping your pole here. For yours truly, flyfishing
is like golf -- I just don't get it. But some do, and it is my constant
reminder that God made everyone different so we'd always have someone to
baffle us.-RK
B
Global Snow and Surf
Report
This site -- Geezer for short -- is a great idea. Instead of presenting
the standard press kit-type Web page, Barefoot Snoboards has sponsored functional
content: daily updated snow reports, and links to snow and surf resources.
Advertising is quietly played in the background. However, the surf reports
were a month old, and I suspect some of the snow reports were as well. The
link to the Resort Sports Network site, however, provided fresh-dated camera
shots of snow resorts such as Heavenly, Calif., and Vail, Colo. A good-looking
resource.-KB
B+
Little League Baseball
The prospect of reviewing this site excited me -- I can't help but twinkle
at the notion of a Little League Baseball Web page. But upon inspection,
I realized the news was old, and the graphics and creativity component was
severely lacking. But the site does offer summer camp information, links
to external resources, and an informative FAQ. Maybe as the season picks
up, the site will too.-SK
C+
Lumberjack
Entertainment
This is a thinly disguised advert for the Old Time Lumberjack Show. Since
lumberjacks aren't really interested in promoting regulated competition
(they instead aim for good-timey fair events), you won't find rules or requirements,
or even detailed descriptions of how games are played. However, photos indicate
events demand chopping, sawing and climbing wood. The page *does not* mention
the infamous Monty Python sketch. Personally, if these guys wielded chainsaws
in evening gowns, I'd *pay* to see it.-RK
D
Mauy
Thai
Mauy Thai is the native term for Thai boxing. The main difference between
regular boxing and Mauy Thai is that you can kick opponents in the head.
Punching is allowed too, but nothing beats a well-placed flying foot to
the temple. Some dude named Roman Dekker is mentioned a lot, and appears
to be a an icon of some kind. This site has links to other martial arts
pages, but is itself thin on information and pics. Consider this merely
a transfer station on the greater Mauy Thai railway.-RK
D
Shotgun
Report
Life's too short not to play with shotguns, and the Shotgun Report will
tell you how to play hard and shoot fast. The Technoid, who claims he is
"often in error, but never in doubt," provides amusing, if not
comprehensive, technical tracts on such things as Barrel modifications,
Gas-operated semi-automatic shotguns, and maintenance tips. Apart from constantly
referring to himself in the third-person, you gotta like The Technoid's
attitude -- especially when your making complicated modifications to firearms.-KB
A
SoccerNet
SoccerNet is a big, big site for the English and Scottish soccer divisions.
Get the latest news and files, link to team profiles (with adorable little
shirts and shorts icons that actually match team colors), or place bets
in the Soccer Pools area. The graphics for the most part are gaudy, tacky,
eye-bending spectacles, but if you can get past that, this is a decent page.
Most of the focus is on team profiles, history, players and awards. Not
bad.-LS
B
">Tauromaquia
Tauromaquia? That's bullfighting to you, shriner. You'll read a detailed
history, which explains that bullfighting was invented about a thousand
years ago for bored knights to work off pent-up blood lust when they were
at peace with their neighbors, and needed to kill something to pass the
time. An extensive glossary and primer clearly explains everything in simple
but informative detail. This sport ignites politically correct fireworks
in folks -- myself included -- but it was interesting to read about as a
cultural event.-RK
B
