What is Blogs with Balls? It’s a big party that discusses the future of sports media.

“We are proud that over the course of the year, BwB has evolved into an industry leader in bringing together all facets of the online sports media community,” said event co-founder Don Povia.

“The continued involvement of not only independent bloggers, but also representatives from companies like ESPN, Bleacher Report, SB Nation, Yahoo! Sports and Yardbarker, shows that collectively online sports media is working and growing together,” Povia added.  “But it’s the fact that more and more members of the newspaper, academic and marketing fields; and tech leaders like Gowalla are participating, that evidences BwB’s growth in size, scope and voice.”

Co-founder Kyle Bunch points out, “We received over a hundred speaker applications for roughly 30 spots, so this process hasn’t been easy, but it reflects the enthusiasm and importance that this event brings to our community. Being recognized as a “blogger” is becoming less and less a stigma and more of an asset.”

So if you buy a ticket what do you get?

Your ticket to Blogs with Balls 3 includes admission to the following invitation-only events:

FRIDAY, JUNE 4

• The Blogs with Balls 3 Pregame Party

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

• BLOGS WITH BALLS 3: The Main Event
  • Where: Captain Morgan Club at Wrigley Field
  • When: 10AM-6PM

  Going Local: Evolution of the Local Sports Media Market in the Digital Age

  • Jim Bankoff (SBN)
  • Enrico Campitelli (The 700 Level)
  • TK Gore (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)
  • Jon Greenberg (ESPN Chicago)
  • Dave Nemetz (Bleacher Report)
  • Moderator: Amy K. Nelson (ESPN)

  Today’s Sports Media Landscape: Blogs and Beyond, Where Are Ad Dollars Going?

  • Rich Gallagher (Taylor)
  • Ian Sohn (Ogilvy)
  • Michele Steele (Bloomberg)
  • Pete Vlastelica (Yardbarker)
  • Mod: Amanda Rykoff (ocdchick.com)

  You’ve Gotta Fight For Your Right…to Blog?: A Legal and Ethical Primer to Sports Media in 2010

  • Jonah Keri (Bloomberg Sports)
  • Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi (U. of Minnesota)
  • Alana Nguyen (Yardbarker)
  • Josh Zerkle (With Leather, KSK)
  • Mod: Jason McIntyre (The Big Lead)

  Democratizing Sports Media: How Blogging Players, Fans & Leagues Are Changing the Game

  • Brian Cook (mgoblog)
  • Valli Hilaire (Fast & Fabulous)
  • Kevin Kaduk (Big League Stew)
  • Robert Littal (Black Sports Online)
  • Scott Reifert (Chicago White Sox)
  • MOD: Henry Abbott (TrueHoop)

  The Kings of All Media: Leveraging Podcasting and Video to Build a Media Megabrand

  • The Basketball Jones (The Score)
  • Jay Busbee (Yahoo! Sports)
  • David Jacoby (ESPN, Sports Guy Podcast)
  • Ian Orefice (SI.com)
  • Michael Rand (Star Tribune)
  • Mod: Matt Sebek (Joe Sports Fan)

  The Future of Sports Media (Circa 2010): What Today’s Technology & Innovations Mean for Tomorrow’s Fan

  • Ty Ahmad-Taylor (FanFeedr)
  • Michael Calderon (Big Ten Network)
  • Andy Ellwood (Gowalla)
  • Mike Germano (Carrot Creative)
  • Mod: Kyle Bunch (The Daily Bunch)

• The Blogs with Balls 3 After-Party

So get your ticket today as they are limited. Buy them and find out more info here: Blogs with Balls

A recent Chicago blog war started when Stormin Norman at NQTC wrote a post called “Why It’s Okay To Boo Milton Bradley But You Were Kind Of A Dick For Booing Jacque Jones“. Then Another Cubs Blog absolutely cut that up like a psycho with a switchblade. NQTC slapped back with “Players Should Not Be Accountable To Fans (And Other Crazy Theories From The Cubs Blogosphere)“. Then Bleacher Nation chimed in with “The Cublogoverse Is BOOOOOOOO“.

So there’s the chronology of it — I think. Anyway, I think it’s perfectly fine to boo players. I do have standards for that though, of course. I usually reserve it for lack of hustle, and most Cardinals. Bad calls are certainly booable. Fans dropping easily catchable foul balls? Extremely booable. I’m compelled to boo them. Pitchers that are afraid to throw strikes? Booable. Refuse to hit the cutoff man? You’re totally getting booed. Quick hook for a starter? Manager gets a bit of boo.

Now the boos should not contain profanity, and any catcalls should be clever. I don’t dig getting personal with boos, unless it’s all in good fun.

Do you boo?

How about a nice hand clap for him! Go visit his site, visit his sponsors and read his fine work. We’re glad he won!

Thanks to all of you that voted, participated and linked to us throughout the tourney.

And here’s to the 2009 champ — Sharapova’s Thigh!

Sharapova’s Thigh 90% vs. The Sports Hernia 10%

Pippen Ain’t Easy 51% vs. Stanley Cup of Chowder 49%

So here’s the final poll!! Voting ends Friday night at midnight!

But first the results from the last round.

#4 Sharapova’s Thigh 72% vs. #12 Both Teams Played Hard
28%

#5 Stanley Cup of Chowder 63% vs. #11 The Sports Hernia 37%

#7 Pippen Ain’t Easy 64% vs. #10 Ball Don’t Lie 36%

The Sports Hernia received the most votes of the 3 losing blogs, so they take the last seed in the Final Four. Here are the polls:

Polls close on Friday night.

Voting ends Sunday night! Get the vote out people!

#4 Sharapova’s Thigh vs. #12 Both Teams Played Hard

#5 Stanley Cup of Chowder vs. #11 The Sports Hernia

#7 Pippen Ain’t Easy vs. #10 Ball Don’t Lie

#1 Hugging Harold Reynolds 49% vs. #12 Both Teams Played Hard
51%

#2 Tremendous Upside Potential 47% vs. #11 The Sports Hernia 53%

#3 The Wayne Fontes Experience 48% vs. #10 Ball Don’t Lie 52%

#4 Sharapova’s Thigh 80% vs. #9 Blog Down, Chicago Bears 20%

#5 Stanley Cup of Chowder 50.1% vs. #8 The Legend of Cecilio Guante 49.9% 1 vote was the difference

#6 Garbage Time All-Stars 31% vs. #7 Pippen Ain’t Easy 69%

New polls go up shortly…

#1 Hugging Harold Reynolds vs. #12 Both Teams Played Hard

#2 Tremendous Upside Potential vs. #11 The Sports Hernia

#3 The Wayne Fontes Experience vs. #10 Ball Don’t Lie

#4 Sharapova’s Thigh vs. #9 Blog Down, Chicago Bears

#5 Stanley Cup of Chowder vs. #8 The Legend of Cecilio Guante

#6 Garbage Time All-Stars vs. #7 Pippen Ain’t Easy

Polls close on the top 12 round on Thursday Night @ 11:59pm. We’ll announce the Final Six on and put up the polls on Friday. Thanks for voting!