Utilizing the Twittersphere

It's contagious. There are representatives of just about every sport utilizing Twitter to reach their fans. When is volleyball going to join the Twitterati?

As slow as I was to embrace the phenomenon, I now realize that it can dramatically enhance a fan's enjoyment of a sporting event. Lebron, Kobe and Shaq sharing their thoughts about the playoffs is fascinating. I'd like to see volleyball utilize social media more.

As a cycling aficionado, I joined Twitter to follow Lance Armstrong's comeback and get to know his heir apparent Levi Leipheimer. Following the racers and their coaches provides me a peak inside the sport in a way I haven't seen before. I get behind the scenes pictures, clarifications of rumors that are going around and stories I didn't hear on TV. It makes me feel like I am at the race with them.

Granted,there is something strange and stalkerish about the more personal posts followers also get. Do I really need to know when Lance is picking up his kids from school or sitting down to watch a movie? Probably not, but it is entertaining and fun anyway.

World League is just around the corner. I'd love for the men's team and coaches keep us informed from the road about what they're doing and how things are going as they defend last year's title since we're not likely to see it on TV.