MetalWood Bats, Inc. of Putnam County, W.Va., claims to have manufactured a bat one year ahead of current technology.
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by Matt Keller ATHENAEUM SPORTS STAFF

Pittsburgh is getting little clutch hitting, no defense and poor effort. But the largest       reason the Pirates are 12 1/2 games behind division leading St. Louis is the lack of quality pitching. FULL ARTICLE

West Virginia’s nearly 18,000 square miles of forested terrain offers access to over 1000 miles of hike-able and bike-able trails.
The West Virginia Rails to Trails Conservancy has worked to transform unused railway lines into public pathways for walking, cycling, rollerblading and other activities.
While some “Rail-Trails” have been resurfaced to accommodate two-way travel and         cyclists, others have been left as rough foot paths to allow nature viewing. 
Caperton Trail is a recent      addition to the Rail-Trail      system. Connecting Fairmont and Morgantown, the 53-mile route follows the Monongahela River and borders the campus of West Virginia University, eventually extending to the Pennsylvania border.
For those seeking a higher-   octane adventure, mountain biking  trails are located across West Virginia. The Monongahela National Forest alone is home to 825 miles of non-motorized roadways. Degree of         difficulty varies from beginner to expert and lengths range from less than a mile to over 60.
For those desiring a more grueling ride, single-track trails provide a narrow and rough    riding surface. Designed for one-way travel, they may allow for only one bike. Sharp turns and natural obstacles are       typical.
Charles Fork Lake and Mountwood Park, near Parkersburg, W.Va., offer excellent mountain biking accommodations. Charles Fork riders have a choice of six trails, most        having steep climbs with highly technical sections. The five mile Lakeview Trail provides            intermediate level riding with limited climbing. The location annually hosts the All Sports Tour de Lake Mountain Bike Festival and Race.
At Mountwood Park, cyclists have access to eight miles of single-track. Trails like Volcano Run, Lava and Eaton Tunnel are included in the NORAD Mountwood Challenge       Mountain Bike Race which     attracts top riders.
The Blackwater Canyon Trail, located near Davis, W.Va., offers eight miles of gravel path with a steep drop of 1,100 feet. Though the downhill ride is an easy coast for mountain bikers, the trail traverses sharply along the canyon wall and the river side of the trail is edged with a sheer drop-off.
BACKPACKING AND      CAMPING
The paths offer a scenic      vantage point for those preferring to stay on foot. Dolly Sods, Cranberry Glades, Cooper’s Rock and Canaan Valley are known for their landscape. Home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles and mammals, the areas have faced ecological distress in recent years.
Several animals have been placed on the endangered species list, including the       eastern cougar, the Virginia    big-eared bat and a type of northern flying squirrel. Groups like the Sierra Club and the     Nature Conservancy have worked to preserve the well-being of flora and fauna.
Essentials for any outdoor trek include the basic knapsack, fresh water, bug spray and    first-aid materials. Experts  suggest anyone on a rigorous outdoor excursion invest in a snake-bite kit, carried in an outer pocket where immediately available. Maps are available at the head of most trails or in state park lodges.
Camping facilities can be found in any state park or     forest reserve. Some facilities are open year-round.               Operational times are             dependent on the weather. Most follow a mid-April to July       season, with some exceptions during hunting seasons.
Sites range from deluxe to primitive, costing $16-$18 per night. Guidelines and further information are available by       calling the park’s headquarters.
For further information, call 1-800-CALL-WVA.