Abstract
The author traces the evolution of America's favorite pastime, Baseball. The paper discusses some myths surrounding the beginning of baseball and explores the ways in which the game continues to evolve.

From the Paper
"Baseball is probably one of the most oldest and treasured pastimes in America. Its roots can be traced as far back as the pre-Civil War era when boys where playing unorganized versions of "Rounders" in open fields. Now, baseball is a multi-million dollar industry with organized teams in almost every major city in the United States."

Tags:civil, cooperstown, history, league, major, rounders, sports, war

Abstract
The paper deals with college athletes that are not collecting the money promised them. The author investigates how college athletes are often denied payment as a result of their free education and examines reasons for this.

From the Paper
"College athletes are being deprived of money they deserve and they should be compensated for their efforts. Athletes across the nation practice hours each day, with the hopes of representing their institution to the best of their ability. Billions of dollars accumulate each year, but the athletes that are responsible for this revenue have yet to profit from it. Their time is primarily dedicated to the team and their trials in the classroom, yet these athletes are still expected to support themselves and maintain the standards set for the average student."

Tags:sport, athletes, college, compensation, integrity, ncaa, pride, respect, rewards

Abstract
This study was undertaken with a purpose of analyzing and making recommendations based on the analysis of situation and strategy identified within the mountain bicycle industry. In particular, close attention is paid to Cannondale Corporation, the leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance aluminum bicycles and its immediate rivals. Assessment of the nature and strength of competitive forces in the mountain bike industry is based on the five factors analysis and allow to identify key success factors that are a must for survival and profitability of any company that operates in the mountain bicycle industry. A graphical representation of current rivals allows to judge strength of the competition in the industry and influence the choice of alternatives and eventual recommendations for Cannondale corporation.

From the Paper
"The global bicycle industry, including bicycles, parts and accessories, is estimated to have total retail sales in excess of $20 billion. The bicycle-manufacturing segment of the industry produces approximately 100 million units per annum. The global market for bikes is reported to be dominated by just a few big players, many of whom seem to bounce from owner to owner, and from cash crisis to cash crisis, on a distractingly regular basis. (bikebiz.com). Even though people seem to be "saturated" with bicycles and the mountain bike boom is proclaimed to be over (bikebiz.com), comments of the cyclist community allow to conclude that the industry's and segment's decline is not likely. It was also noted that the worldwide cycling industry is waiting for the "next big thing" in cycling which will likely shift position of major players in the industry if they can't keep up with the trend."

Tags:analysis, bicycle, cannondale, corporation, driving, factors, forces, group, industry, key, map, market, mountain, penetration, strategic, strategy, success

Abstract
This paper looks at the health problems faced by diabetics and how exercise and a proper diet can help mitigate some of those problems. The paper focuses on the finding that exercise is an essential factor in the successful management of diabetes and in improving insulin sensitivity. The paper also provides physiological explanations of the benefits of exercise to the diabetic.

From the Paper
"Diabetes is increasing in the United States and throughout the world due to the ever-growing adoption of an unhealthy lifestyle, including poor diet and lack of physical activity. Obesity is a characteristic often present in individuals with diabetes, and in order for the occurrences of diabetes to be reduced and the effects of diabetes to be minimized, efforts must be put in place to encourage weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy weight. It is expected that obesity and diabetes will reach epidemic proportions unless prompt action is taken to counteract these conditions."

Tags:lifestyle, glycemic, control, body, mass, dietary, saturated, fat, microvascular, complications, progressive, beta-cell, dysfunction

Abstract
This is a paper about internet marketing research, and uses Nike and it's women's products as a case study to show how this is an effective marketing tool in today's market. The paper gives a brief history of Nike, and looks at its share of the women's market, it's competitors and different ways in which Nike has tried to distinguish itself from the other companies in the women's market.

From the Paper
"Now we see more and more women becoming physically active and we also see more women s sports being acknowledged, such as the Women s National Basketball Association. Our views towards women as athletes are finally changing for the better. Nike picked up on this and realized that they had a new market to really focus on. Nike Goddess was developed through a very solid marketing strategy, which had much research, and planning behind it. The site should do very well with these young female Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers ."

Tags:internet, marketing, nike, research, women, sports, footwear, apparel, equipment, endorsements, basketball, overseas, goddess, strategy, sales, attitudes

From the Paper
"In Friday night lights: A town, a team, and a dream H. C. Bissinger recounts his observations of living in Odessa, Texas where he sees "high school sports keeping a town together, keeping it alive" (Bissinger, 1990, xi). With passion and sensitivity Bissinger records the triumphs and failings of Odessa's Permian Panthers. As a journalist Bissinger's aim is to explore the town's values about race, education, politics and the economy (Bissinger, 1990, p. xiii). Analysis of the sociological concepts emergent in Friday night lights will be examined against the rubric of functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism. Since sports pervade contemporary American culture, it has become a preferred target of study for many sociologists. A new field of specialization, the sociology of sports, emerged with..."

From the Paper
"H.G. Bissinger, in "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream", uses high school football as a window through which we can study the soul of a Texas town. It is clear that Bissinger's study is meant to shine a light on the problems of American society in general, because the social and economic troubles of Odessa, Texas, are the troubles of the country as a whole. The book must be seen as a pessimistic one, because the problems of the town are not faced honestly and courageously, but are instead buried in the town's obsession with football, just as an addict would bury his troubles in his obsession with drugs.

The book might be seen as an academic, judgmental indictment from on high, the product of a writer from the big city who comes to the little town to study the inhabitants like a scientist studying rats. But it is clear that that is not what Bissinger ... "

Abstract
The paper begins by looking at arguments for the use of steroids in sports. It quotes Barry Bonds, a major league baseball player who has no reservations about the use of steroids in sports; as well as Ken Caminiti, who won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1996. It lists the arguments of the proponents of steroid use. The paper then turns to study the side effects of steroid use and the reservations held by opponents of using drugs in sports. The paper concludes with the writer's personal opinion on the topic.

From the Paper
"Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs in order to improve their performance? Steroid usage in sports has long been a big issue for many athletes both professional and amateur. Steroids are not condoned in any sport however; some athletes do take the chance by using performance-enhancing drugs in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome in a competition. Many athletes have been barred from participating in certain sports because they were convicted of taking steroids. In light of this, one can only wonder how many top athletes have won events due to the use of steroids. There are many sides to the debate of whether or not athletes should be able to use steroids. Despite health reasons there are quite a few people who do believe that athletes should be allowed to use performance-enhancers. On the other hand, there are those who believe that steroids should not be used."

Tags:Barry, Bonds, Ken, Caminiti, proponents, opponents, side, effects, opinion, drugs, competition

Abstract
This paper examines the use of performance enhancing steroids for professional athletes. It argues in support of legalizing the drug in order for athletes' usage to be supervised by health care professionals. The paper illustrates that professional sports is a business and athletes will use steroids in order to succeed.

Table of Contents:

Background
Availability Of Steroids
Is The Bad Publicity Of Steroids Valid?
Why Take Steroids
Legalizing Steroids
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Through medical professionals misconception, and misunderstandings, the use of steroids has gained the popularity and reputation as the same caliber as dangerous street drugs. Steroids are medically prescribed drugs to treat certain symptoms and diseases, but has been widely abused by dedicated and obsessed athletes willing to go beyond their physical capacity to accomplish athletic endeavors. This sometimes includes the abuse of steroids. However, controlled steroid use with the purpose for increasing athletic performance can actually permanently improve an athlete's strength, and is not entirely destructive when used responsibly, and under the supervision of a health care professional."

Tags:athlete, drug, abuse, health, care, legal, congress

Abstract
This paper discusses the current salaries of professional athletes and their impact on the sports world. The author examines how the skyrocketing salaries have affected experiences and perceptions of fans and negatively impacted professional sports.

From the Paper
"If you are planning on taking your family to a ball game, be sure to come with your favorite team's t-shirt, your camera and binoculars, and a fat wallet. That's right, be prepared to fork over the cash, because it will cost you upwards of over $250. Athlete salaries have drastically increased over the past couple decades. As these wages continue to mushroom to unprecedented heights, the cost of attending sporting events elevates to new plateaus of its own. In addition to increased ticket prices, which hurt the ability of many fans to go to games, exploding salaries have resulted in greed of players and owners and a lower quality of play in some areas. All of this has left a bad taste in the mouths of even the most die hard sports fans. If current trends continue, professional sports might lose what remains of its integrity and become just another industry where victory is auctioned off to the highest bidder."

Tags:baseball, basketball, football, contract, tickets, sales, mcgwire, sosa, yankee, stadium