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Perhaps you are like me. You don't watch enough television to justify a subscription to one or more of the premium channels. (My satellite bill has only one extra on it, a sports package that allows me to get most televised women's sporting events.) Given that, we have a problem: How best to affordably watch the Carano-Cyborg fight Saturday night? Always thinking of my loyal readers (both of you), and of course myself, I have researched the matter and can provide the following suggestions:

DISH Network: If you are a DISH Network subscriber and act soon enough, you might be able to watch the fight free.

DirecTV: Here again it might be possible to watch free.

All television services: Showtime has a $25 Cash Back promotion for new subscribers.

Online: $24.95 gets you what may be the best seat in the house: you can choose camera angles during the event. Notice too another freebie: watch tomorrow night's weigh-in free at strikeforce.sho.com.

Finally, don't delay. Your chances of getting a deal will be better if you don't wait until the last minute.

In keeping with my undertaking to acknowledge whenever possible organizations that support female athletes, this just in:

Brockton, MA. – ProMounds Inc., the parent company of On Deck Sports, today announced that it has welcomed Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch as the newest member of its Professional Staff Team. ProMounds is a leading manufacturer of baseball and softball products.

Through this relationship, Finch and ProMounds have joined together to produce the Jennie Finch Powerline Pitching Mat. The mat’s design includes a powerline that keeps a player’s pitching motion consistent on every pitch, and a slide proof backing that ensures a safe training session on any surface. Finch and ProMounds will also be working together on a number of events around the country.

"I'm very excited about my partnership with ProMounds & On Deck Sports, especially our creation of the Powerline Pitching Mat as it’s an amazing tool for pitchers at any level," stated Finch. "I can carry the mat wherever I go and know I’ll always have a realistic surface for practice. It’s the perfect tool to refine and develop your technique, whether you’re just starting out, or pitching your country to an Olympic medal."

The Powerline Pitching Mat is now available at www.ondecksports.com, along with information on the company’s upcoming event with Finch.

"Jennie’s talent, experience and insight into the game of softball, especially the pitching technique, make her an invaluable asset to our team," stated Joe Murphy, founder and president of ProMounds.

Finch is one of America's best-known female athletes. Her success in softball began in high school where she earned multiple honors. During her college career at the University of Arizona, Finch was a two-time (2001 & 2002) winner of the Honda Award for Softball, presented to nation's best player. In addition, she was twice named PAC-10 Pitcher of the Year, was a two-time NFCA First-Team All American and holds the NCAA record for consecutive wins (60). Finch also helped Arizona reach the NCAA Women’s College World Series in each of her four years, winning the championship in 2001. After college, her achievements continued on the international level as Finch won numerous medals, including gold at the 2004 Olympics and, most recently, silver as a member of the USA Softball Team in the Beijing Olympics.

About ProMounds, Inc.:
Over the last eight years, ProMounds has grown into a leading manufacturer of baseball and softball products. Former Division I college baseball player and high school coach Joe Murphy began the company in 2001 with a portable pitching mound. Since then, the company has launched its retail division, On Deck Sports, and expanded its offerings to include netting, gym and physical education equipment and strength and conditioning products. Additionally, its products and services include synthetic grass for high-end landscaping and artificial turf removal, as well as supply. It has also designed and constructed nearly 400 indoor baseball and softball training facilities throughout the United States, and provided artificial turf to groups around the world, including U.S. troops. Based in Massachusetts, ProMounds staff consists of professionals with years of experience in all levels and areas of sports.

www.ProMounds.com

In a free society people can act together spontaneously—sans coercion and political strife—to better the world. The folks at Girls4Sport, apparently understanding this congenial yet often ignored truth, do their part to make the world a better place for girls and women (that is to say: for all of us).

For instance, their Pink Store, where 5% of purchases go to the U'ilani Fund; likewise, their Girls4Sport Foundation, which "supports organizations and programs that provide girls of all ages with the skills, support, and opportunity to lead active lives with confidence"; now, an essay contest that honors inspiring women:

Surf and swim apparel designer Girls4Sport will honor inspiring women with its "Ordinary Heroes" essay contest. Girls4Sport invites participants to nominate the women in their lives—mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends—who have accomplished extraordinary things or inspired others [to] dream bigger and better. The contest entry deadline is August 30, 2009.

"We all have people who've helped us laugh harder, run faster, live better, be stronger and just smile more," says Kim Ruby, president of Girls4Sport. "We want to pay tribute to the unsung heroes in women’s lives and give them the credit they deserve."

Girls4Sport will select three hero stories as grand prize winners. The grand prize winners and their heroes will each receive a $100 gift certificate for Girls4Sport’s online store, shop.girls4sport.com, plus an autographed copy of Dara Torres' new book, Age is Just a Number. Ten runners up will each receive a free t-shirt and grab bag from the online store.

Winners and their winning stories will appear on the Girls4Sport website in September 2009. The deadline for nomination is August 30, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. PST. All participants in the contest will receive a 35% off coupon code good towards any purchase at shop.girls4sport.com. Participants may nominate as many heroes as they want. To nominate a hero, visit: www.girls4sport.com/contest/.