Ever wanted to experience the view from the same spot on Coors Field where Dante Bichette misplayed a fly ball one inning then crushed a shot over it the next? Ever wonder if any blood spilled from old Avs-Red Wings spats still stains the Pepsi Center ice? Curious if the grass at Mile High Stadium is as green as it looks on television?
If you’re vexed by these questions, or if you’re looking for a competitive run this weekend, try the Fans on the Field Denver Stadium Run/Walk, a 5K or 10K event Sunday through downtown Denver that takes participants on a lap around Invesco Field, across the ice at the Pepsi Center and around the warning track at Coors Field. And through all points in between.
The run benefits the National Sports Center for the Disabled to help drum up sports and recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities. It starts at 9 a.m. Sunday at Invesco Field.
And if the ghost of a mulleted Bichette should appear on your route, remember: One of the great characters in Rockies history is just there to help, not haunt.
WEAK IN REVIEW
It took the Arizona Cardinals 17 years to rid themselves of playing at a college stadium. And then they go and screw it up. When the Cardinals host Kansas City Oct. 8, they will play at University of Phoenix Stadium, after the for-profit school bought the naming rights this week. Apparently, Pat Tillman Memorial Stadium was too obvious. Must the rest of us obey? Why can’t everyone else, including newspapers, just call it Cardinals Stadium?
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE …
With just two games under their belts this season, the Air Force Falcons go into their home opener Saturday at noon against New Mexico as suddenly the Front Range’s best chance for a winning football season. With Colorado oh-fer, Colorado State struggling to run the ball and Wyoming having lost to the Falcons last week, it would be nice to see Air Force step up.
THE COUCH
ON: With the Broncos on a bye week, two options surface. First, you can finally scout other NFL teams without overdosing on football. There are four interesting games Sunday. Handicap the Broncos’ division rival (and their Oct. 9 opponent) when the Chargers take on the Ravens on KCNC-Ch. 4 and the Chiefs host the 49ers on KDVR-Ch. 31, both at 11 a.m. Or, catch one of the NFL’s most entertaining teams, the Bengals, in their matchup with the Patriots at 2 p.m. Or, wait until later Sunday and see what could be one of the better NFC matchups this season when the Seahawks go against the Bears at 6:30 p.m. on KUSA-9. Or, watch them all.
OFF: Your second Broncos-less weekend option, of course, is to shed the television and get outside. For that route, might we suggest the Whole Foods Whole Fun Ride and Run at Boulder Reservoir on Saturday at 9 a.m. The race lets teams of two share one bike while running and biking to see who can pick up as many stuffed animals as possible along the course. Check 5430sports.com for more information. Or get adventurous and try the Durango Fall Blaze, a bike tour of 34, 57 or 100 miles, hosted by Fort Lewis College. See durangofallblaze.com.
AROUND TOWN
Weird to think about it, but the Avalanche will host Rob Blake – and the Los Angeles Kings – on Saturday. For their last preseason game, the Avs matchup with former Colorado defenseman Blake will give Colorado fans one last chance to study the roster before the season opener against Dallas at Pepsi Center on Wednesday. By the way, it will be Jordan Leopold, the biggest Avs’ acquisition from Calgary since Theo Fleury, who will anchor the defense in the absence of Blake. The Avs take on the Kings at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Pepsi Center.
