There’s nothing like getting into an argument with the new coach after his first game, I always say.

You wonder about how youth all-star teams are pieced together for the summer.

That’s a growing list of athletes in action. Sports and class. They go together like tomatoes and lettuce on a salad.

It’s time for a column on soccer.

Elgin Baylor’s new book, “Hang Time: My Life In Basketball,” might seem appropriate here.

A curious story about an area prep track & field team. Won’t say if it’s boys or girls – well, it’s girls – but we won’t divulge the school.

Now that Jeff Oliver’s gone as Cal State San Bernardino’s men’s basketball coach, I take issue. We’re betting he didn’t really want to go.

HOOP SCOOP: Big 2 became the Big 3 in MSJC’s JUCO championship … Brown tourney MVP, Thomas all-tournament, Gower ignored in final tabulation … Mt. SAC’s successful coach funnels buy-in recipe … Mozga gets coveted title.

From the San Gorgonio Pass, along Interstate 10, is a nice vantage point …

A handful, or so, years back I was assigned to interview a duo of State-bound wrestlers from Riverside King High School. They were headed for Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, which is the ultimate goal for any kid that hits the mat.

Visiting Jurupa Valley Rubidoux High never had a chance.

If you’re looking for a new head football coach, we might be able to provide an idea, or two, about the process of weening out candidates and ushering in any highly experienced and dedicated on-field educators.

Seconds before Super Bowl XXXV concluded with Baltimore set to knock out the New York Giants, 34-7, Ravens’ coach Brian Billick called the team’s water boy over and told him to empty all the water containers.

Since former Banning legend Don Pellum has been hired by Chip Kelly at UCLA, you really haven’t been treated to much news in recent weeks about Bruin football.

Will Martin will be erased as Beaumont High’s football coach. There’s nothing anyone can do about it. Figure that magic moment to come around by, say, March.

Here’s to all the Baseball Dads, plus a few Moms, out there in anticipation for an upcoming season, either in Banning Little League or Beaumont PONY. My question is this: Why aren’t more kids turning to switch-hitting? If you’re going to do it, the earlier the better.

Transferring athletes from Banning probably hurt the Broncos’ playoff hopes in 2017. Those same transfers probably killed Beaumont High School.

SPORT NOTES: Ariana Serrato racked up 7 against Cuyamaca … Beaumont girls nab another co-league volleyball title … Cal State women deadlocked with UCSD in volleyball duel … College soccer wars heating up for men at Redlands, Cal State.

I remember the bit well. A few years back. Sitting on the visitor’s bleachers. It was seconds until kickoff. Steve Garcia called out to the fans at Ted Runner Stadium, the neighborhood fixture over at Brockton and University in Redlands, “Ladies and gentleman, please rise …”

Sports writing used to be an industry unto its own.

From The Pass, it takes a couple hours.

In case it’s escaped anyone’s attention, Beaumont High’s record 47-home run output on the Lady Cougars’ softball season blew apart the previous mark of 35, set only four years earlier.

DIAMOND NOTES: Cherry Valley pitcher working his way up in Toronto chain … Juarez, De Longchamp tabbed first-team all-league … Longtime Yucaipa softball coach heads for Minot, N.D.

Cars 3 is must-see movie talent. Comics. Actors. Racing legends. Sportscasting stars. Animation brilliance.

There were a few Beaumont High coaches in full belief they’d be logged into the Citrus Belt League before the April 24 re-leaguing vote took place. 

Let’s take a couple pieces of important testimony from this past school year. Splice them together. In the case of Beaumont High School’s football program, it might be helpful.

It happens every year. U.S. Open for golfers. Guys come out of the woodwork for the chance. It’s an “open” tournament, which means it’s open to everyone. That is, if you’ve got a low enough handicap, 1.4, which is a number lower than Clayton Kershaw’s earned run average.

DIAMOND NOTES: No-hitter from Carson McCafferty … Beaumont in three-way tie for league softball title … Cougar baseballers finish regular season with a rush … Martin, Garewal sisters destroy Rubidoux … Cal State women KO’d in conference tournament.

DIAMOND NOTES: Alyssa Gonzalez hits 3 HRs in Lady Cougars’ record-tying power barrage … Banning’s girls clinging to league title hopes … Cal State women, headed for Stockton, rise to No. 6 in West … Three-way tie involving Banning’s boys will be settled.

Re-leaguing’s always a deep-breathing exercise. That April 24 vote must’ve been a relief to Beaumont. And, except for an increase in travel budget, Banning got a huge break.

In another couple of weeks, May 3-7 to be exact, the Redlands Bicycle Classic will kick off in Highland. There are few special qualities about this year’s 33rd renewal. For openers, it comes one week before the Amgen Tour of California, which should attract a few more of cycling’s elite to l…

There could be some excitement connected with a new sport on Beaumont High’s growing athletically motivated campus sports program. Does boys’ volleyball excite anyone?

Citrus Belt area schools, including Banning and Beaumont, had to submit their final proposals for re-leaguing, a cycle that begins in 2018-2019.

From around the Interstate 10: NASCAR couldn’t ask for better publicity in advance of Sunday’s AutoClub 400 at the Fontana-based Auto Club Raceway: Kyle Busch left bloodied from a fight with Joey Logano? At the Las Vegas Kobalt 400? This is a ticket seller’s dream …

DIAMOND NOTES: Beaumont boys split at Chino … Cal State, MSJC having trouble winning baseball games … Lady Coyotes split with No. 25 Monterey … Reagor among those going for titles in volleyball, basketball and softball.