December 13, 2025

(Video) Is this the most difficult shot ever made, ever?

December 13, 2025/ Section925

October 26, 2025

(Opinion) Real Madrid and Barcelona show us the potential pitfalls of robot umpires

October 26, 2025/ Section925

By Connor Buestad | Connor@Section925.com

Tuning into El Classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday morning was supposed to get me 90 minutes of The Beautiful Game with a collection of the greatest soccer players in the world, only interrupted by a brief halftime, long enough more me to refill my coffee while I ignored the block of commercials. I was fully bought in. I knew I wasn’t going to have to run the risk of a Jonas Brothers concert breaking out in the middle of play like I did the night before during Game 2 of the World Series. I was prepared for beautiful passes, brilliant touches and uncanny finishes by the likes of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford and Pedri. What I got instead was a tutorial in how powerful the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is nowadays in the world of soccer. Basically if an important play occurred, the game suddenly stopped while they dissected said play on video replay. They eventually came to a conclusion on how to call the foul and half the fans were still convinced they got it wrong. It got me thinking, is this what we want baseball, an already slow game, to turn into? Are we sure the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) robotic umpire system is the direction we have to go in?

The VAR palooza in this morning’s match started less than two minutes in, as Vini Jr. was taken down by 18-year-old phenom Yamal inside the box. It looked to the naked eye like an obvious penalty and even after watching the video replay, both announcers agreed it should be a PK. “There’s no doubt about that being a penalty,” they assured us. Instead, after minutes of deliberation the call on the pitch was overturned and no penalty was awarded. Nil-nil the score remained.

Less than ten minutes later, Real Madrid struck again, this time courtesy of French icon Mbappe as he cracked a one timer from well outside the box for a beautiful goal, leaving the keeper with no chance. The stadium erupted in celebration. A magical goal from a magical finisher, performing at the top of his game, in one of the biggest matches of the year. The only thing that could get in the way of the moment was a high definition computer program that could somehow prove he was one centimeter offside. That’s exactly what happened. When Mbappe finally did score, for real, in the 21st minute, I really had no idea if I should get excited about it or just wait to watch the whole episode on replay to confirm if it was really a goal or not. At this point, VAR replay had me exhausted. Little did I know, a debated handball off the foot of Rashford would result in even more delays early in the second half.

I guess this means Mbappe was not onside?

The rest of the match was played as expected, at an extremely high level with stars of the game everywhere you looked. But the starts and stops and total reliance on video at the start of the match soured the rest of it for me, I must admit. Fermin Lopez scored a beautiful goal for Barcelona to equalize things and Bellingham scored what proved to be the game winner late in the first half for Madrid, but the match ended just as choppy as it started, with both clubs jawing at each other on the sideline, even more distraction from the the play on the pitch.

Late in Game 7 of the ALCS last week, with a trip to the World Series hanging in the balance, the Mariners’ Eugenio Suarez got rung up on a curveball outside of the strike zone in a huge spot. The pitch was dangerously close to the zone and the umpire took the liberty to rock back and ring up Suarez. Naturally, Suarez got in the umpire’s face a bit and gave him a piece of his mind, before turning around and walking to the dugout. It was a classic baseball play. Great pitch, tough call, and intense reaction. Onto the next play. Instead, next year that same pitch will stop the game for five to ten minutes. It will be analyzed on replay in slo-motion while advertisers pump a few more spots in front of you while you wait. The end result will still be disagreement. Boos will still rain down from the upper deck, gamblers will still throw beer cans at their TV. The only difference is that they will be yelling at a robot.

October 19, 2025

(Photos) Bill Belichick and North Carolina fall to Cal 21-18 in Berkeley

October 19, 2025/ Section925

Photos by Connor Buestad - Connor@Section925.com

September 06, 2025

(Photos) Cal wins their home opener over Texas Southern 35-3

September 06, 2025/ Section925

Photos by Connor Buestad - Connor@Section925.com

September 03, 2025

Cal's Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele reacts to his impressive first game as a Golden Bear

September 03, 2025/ Section925

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August 24, 2025

(Photos) The Dog Days of August at San Jose Municipal

August 24, 2025/ Section925

Photos by Connor Buestad - Section925.com

August 18, 2025

(Photos) San Diego FC beats San Jose 2-1 to rise atop the MLS table

August 18, 2025/ Section925

Photos by Connor Buestad - Section925.com

June 15, 2025

(Photos) Serra beats Valley Christian to win the CCS title in San Jose

June 15, 2025/ Section925

Photos by Connor Buestad - Section925

June 15, 2025

The Golden State Valkyries have the Bay Area's attention and more

June 15, 2025/ Section925

By Connor Buestad - connor@Section925.com

The positive energy outside of Chase Center for a Golden State Valkyries game is palpable. Upon arrival, you’re met with brand new soft-purple Valks merchandise on fans young and old. Basketball heads eager for a “Great Time Out” like the days at the Arena in Oakland when the Warriors were lovably horrible line the streets on the way toward the arena. The fan base is simultaneously familiar and foreign. The majority clearly come from the same family tree as Oakland Dubs fans, while others seem to be stumbling in to just see what this new team with a unique name is all about.

When you enter the state-of-the art NBA arena to see the 29th season of WNBA basketball (now featuring it’s 15th team), it’s hard not to notice the behemoth jumbotron hanging out over in front of you, daring you to watch its ultra-HD contents. (Even the game itself is hard to avoid watching on-screen vs the real life players on the hardwood). In-arena host Ari Waller is already hard at work promoting the roving DJ, along with a slew of modern distractions designed to get the new fan base lathered up for top level women’s hoops. Everything about the atmosphere feels like a regular season Warriors game. Nothing about it is second rate.

As tipoff approaches, the Valkyries let you know more than a few times that you’re actually in a fictional world called “Ballhalla.” To clarify, this is an ode to Nordic mythologies of the ancient Scandinavians. “Valhalla” was once ruled over by an ancient god who welcomed female warriors who have died in battle. A valkyrie itself was a female who decided who would die in battle. “Valkyrie” translates directly to "chooser of the slain." On this given Saturday at Chase Center, the Las Vegas Aces (owned by both Tom Brady and Mark Davis) died in battle at the hands of the Valkyries in an upset blowout. Brady was absent from the festivities, but yes, Davis and his Lloyd Christmas haircut were prominent in the front row throughout.

Natalie Nakase serves as the head coach of the Valkyries, this being her first head coaching gig in the WNBA. Across from her perch on the sideline is Jess Smith, the fearless president of the expansion squad, wearing a power suit and giving off the same type of aura as Joe Lacob does most nights for the Warriors. The gameplan to slow down superstar A’ja Wilson only slightly works, but the Valkyries counter her 17 points by going an impressive 17 of 18 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, from beyond the arc, Kayla Thornton erupted for 22 points and hit four of the teams 10 threes. By the end of the third quarter, the Valkyries remained in full control and the arena was repeatedly erupting into a standing ovation. By game’s end, Chase Center had turned into a party and no dunks were needed. The people were sufficiently entertained.

Filing out of the arena, smiles abounded from both young and old, male and female. The score and outcome helped, sure, but above all, the fans seemed more thrilled with the fact that the Valkyries were here in The Bay and easily selling out the city’s biggest arena, night after night. The WNBA is on a heater right now, with no signs of slowing down. Just the other day, three more future expansion teams were announced, which will bump up the league total to 18 teams after Cleveland, Detroit and Philly jump into the booming business of women’s basketball.

For now, the Golden State Valkyries clearly have next and they are not shy about enjoying their moment in the spotlight. The ladies in purple are thriving and Ballhalla is creating a must-see atmosphere by The Bay. Do yourself a favor and see for yourself.