Check out this article: My Plan To Save Hockey

When I first saw the article I was confused by the title and had no idea why the NHL would ever need or want to resemble pro soccer in England. But after reading the article, the guy has a point. In short, he believes we need to cut down the number of teams in the NHL, which is a valid point, but how do you do that without looking like the NHL is holding on for dear life? And how do you do that without infuriating the dwindling group of pro hockey fans still tuning in?

Well, you do what English soccer does and after every season bump teams to lower divisions if they don't perform or to the higher divisions if they do. The article suggests that in the first two seasons you bump five teams down to a lower division each year, which leaves you with the top 20 teams in the league. In the seasons following, you bring the best three teams up from the lower division and bump the three worst teams down. It could be a crazy idea, but it's worth reading and it might just save the NHL.

I'm a Philadelphia Flyers fan and know that if each game played a role in determining the status of my team in the following year, I might pay a little more attention to not only my team, but the other teams in the league too.

That groan you heard emanating from the Atlanta offices of TBS, Major League Baseball's new postseason broadcast partner, was another round of disappointing ratings for the National League playoffs. Despite relatively high viewership for playoff series involving the Red Sox and the Yankees, ratings for the National League Championship Series involving the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks were lower than ESPN's Home Run Derby (4.3 percent) and ABC's Little League World Series final (3.3 percent). Evidence that on the eve of the World Series a decline in baseball's TV viewership that started in the mid-90s is still very much in effect.

Does this mean we need more 12-year-old sluggers clearing the fences in Williamsport? Not quite. Overall ratings for the first round of the playoffs are up 16 percent over last year--much of this attributed to the fact that TBS is carried in many more homes than FOX.

But it does point to the fact that baseball needs more than a semi-funny comedian like Dane Cook doing playoff baseball promos. It needs to connect, at least when the Red Sox and Yankees aren't involved, with viewers on a human level.

Stories about pitch counts and parents losing their jobs while supporting their kid's run in Williamsport helped the Little League World Series resonate with a large audience--or at least a larger audience than the NLCS.

Perhaps it's time for networks to get creative and rethink their broadcast approach. Have sideline reporters do more than just talk about stats: interview the families of players to get their perspective, find out what it's like to sit next to a group of fans booing your husband, give the players a video camera during batting practice and see what they're like when interviewing each other. It's time for Major League Baseball to stop waiting for that metaphorical three-run home run and create interest when there isn't any for the casual fan.

Tell us what you think in the comments below. Is interest in the national pastime eroding? Or is this just a blip on the screen in an otherwise healthy sport?

(Another great sports tip from guest blogger Jon Doyle of Baseball Training)

A few weeks ago I introduced you to the plank. Well here's another version of the plank, called the side plank, that builds helps develop shoulder and core stability...and, like the plank, you can do it while watching the playoffs. Who said watching TV wasn't active?



Place your elbow directly under your shoulder and your foot on top of you other foot. Simply raise your hip off the ground and hold for 30-60 seconds. Repeat on other side.

(Jon Doyle is a former NCAA All-American baseball player who now works as strength and conditioning specialist. For more tips check out www.baseballtrainingsecrets.com)

Hey everyone, Trish and Toby here. We're firm believers that the active lifestyle involves more than just being physically active--it's about being intellectually and socially active too. We compiled a list of 10 tips for being active in all areas of life. Because no matter what stage of life you are in, you should always strive to be the best version of yourself.

1. Maintain a positive mental outlook. There's a clear connection between living well and having a cheerful outlook on life. Research has found that people who think positively about life live an average of seven and a half years longer than negative thinkers.

2. Avoid processed food. Eating processed, boxed, canned and frozen meals guarantee that you are eating unnecessary chemicals, sodium, sugar and fat. Eat fresh, natural food and eliminate trans fat from your diet.

3. Reduce stress. We're so focused on being go-getters that we often forget to de-stress. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like--walk on the beach or in a park, read a book, visit a friend, play with your dog, listen to soothing music or watch a funny movie. Don't forget to take some time to focus on clearing your thoughts and giving your mind, body and spirit a chance to rejuvenate.

4. Invest in a quality pair of shoes and socks. Visit a specialty store that understands that every foot and foot strike is unique. When your feet are happy, so are you. Comfortable, supportive and well-fitting shoes and synthetic socks are worth the investment of time and money.

5. Socialize. Having a social network is important to the body, mind and spirit. People who are socially active tend to be healthier, happier and less likely to become depressed. To stay socially active, make a point of getting out of the house. Make plans with your friends to go out to lunch or better yet, make plans to exercise regularly with a friend or group of friends. Exercising with others is usually more fun than exercising on your own--and it can help you stick with your exercise program. Try joining our online community today!

6. Exercise your brain. The key to keeping your memory sharp is continuing to challenge it. Having a book on hand and discussing what you've read with friends or a book club is one way to keep your brain in good shape. Crosswords, Sudoku and puzzles are also excellent ways to keep your brain agile. There is always more learning to do. Find out what works for you.

7. Volunteer. Donating your time at an aid station during a race or soup kitchen over the holidays, puts life into perspective. Be thankful for all you have and give to others who are less fortunate.

8. Omit high fructose corn syrup from your diet. Widespread use of this highly modified sweetener is making us and our children unhealthy. High fructose corn syrup bypasses the digestive process and goes straight to the liver, where it gets turned into fat. Combined with the typical American high-fat diet, the result is increased danger of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Try using honey as sweetener instead. As an added bonus, ingesting locally grown honey before allergy season helps your body acclimate to some pollen levels in advance.

9. Maintain close relationships. Make a point to strengthen ties with your family, friends and loved ones. Volunteer work, religious ties, even pets--anything that keeps you involved with others--reduces stress and enhances health. Having a strong network of family and friends and a broad range of activities will support your health.

10. Give yoga a try. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes when your body is limber and flexible. Plus, yoga reduces the chances of injury. Try a beginning yoga class to enjoy the wide range of benefits--your mind and body will both thank you.

Comments are encouraged--please share your tips for staying healthy and active with the rest of us.

(Another great sports tip from guest blogger Jon Doyle of Baseball Training)

The key to quality swing mechanics is quality work on the tee. A player should groove his swing with hundred of quality reps on the tee before he ever steps foot outside and hits live pitching. A Tee Station can easily be constructed in the garage or basement by attaching a tarp to the ceiling. Attach a pole to the bottom and it can be rolled up to the ceiling and secured with a chain when not in use.

The hitter should take his stance with his belt buckle in the center of the plate. The tee should be moved around to three different contact points. Contact point one is placed on the inside 1/3 of the plate, about 2 feet in front of the plate. This pitch should be pulled. Contact point two is placed down the middle and about one foot in front of the plate and hit up the middle. Contact point three is placed on the outside corner, back into the plate and driven to the opposite field.

One-third of the swings should be lead-hand cuts, a third should be follow-hand cuts and the final third should be two-hand cuts. When swinging with the lead or follow hand, the hitter should choke up for bat control and place the bat flat at the tip of his shoulder. Lead-hands cuts will emphasize that the swing is powered by the rotation of the hips and body not by the arms and shoulders. I place a lot of emphasis on lead-hand cuts at contact point three because this emphasizes letting the ball get deep, staying closed and driving the ball the other way. It is easy to learn to pull the ball but hard to learn to stay back, let the ball get deep, and drive it the other way.

Tee work is very boring for most younger players. I told my players to envision a Major League pitcher in the tarp and pretend to be their favorite hitter. I also advise them to announce the game in order to "bring it to life." This really puts the fun in tee work and increases your child's chance of success.

(Jon Doyle is a former NCAA All-American baseball player who now works as strength and conditioning specialist. For more tips check out www.baseballtrainingsecrets.com)