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Best Rapid

Marcelo Balboa

Soccer's dazzling "bicycle kick" -- a 180-degree flip, with the shot taken as head and foot are absolutely reversed -- is not attempted often and rarely yields results. But on April 22, 2000, in Columbus, Ohio, veteran Colorado Rapids defender Marcelo Balboa scored with it -- and catapulted himself into TV sports highlights around the globe. Aside from that, Balboa played his usual brand of smart, dogged defense all season long and, at the tender age of 33, helped get the Rapids back to the playoffs against eventual MLS champion Kansas City. The Cerritos, California, native is now the only Rapid left from the team's inception in 1996, and last season he was still the best.

Best Rapid

Marcelo Balboa

Soccer's dazzling "bicycle kick" -- a 180-degree flip, with the shot taken as head and foot are absolutely reversed -- is not attempted often and rarely yields results. But on April 22, 2000, in Columbus, Ohio, veteran Colorado Rapids defender Marcelo Balboa scored with it -- and catapulted himself into TV sports highlights around the globe. Aside from that, Balboa played his usual brand of smart, dogged defense all season long and, at the tender age of 33, helped get the Rapids back to the playoffs against eventual MLS champion Kansas City. The Cerritos, California, native is now the only Rapid left from the team's inception in 1996, and last season he was still the best.

Best New Rec Center

Apex Center

The North Jeffco Parks and Recreation District opened what it claims is the largest municipal recreation center in the nation this past summer. And we're not about to argue: Apex Center's 168,000 square feet encompass two indoor ice rinks, a therapy pool, an indoor walking and running track, indoor water-play pools, a lap pool, three gyms and a weight room. And don't forget the snack bar and locker rooms and the decor that brings the Colorado outdoors in through window walls, murals and indoor plantings. The whole $28 million facility is designed to accommodate 2,500 people per day.

Best New Rec Center

Apex Center

The North Jeffco Parks and Recreation District opened what it claims is the largest municipal recreation center in the nation this past summer. And we're not about to argue: Apex Center's 168,000 square feet encompass two indoor ice rinks, a therapy pool, an indoor walking and running track, indoor water-play pools, a lap pool, three gyms and a weight room. And don't forget the snack bar and locker rooms and the decor that brings the Colorado outdoors in through window walls, murals and indoor plantings. The whole $28 million facility is designed to accommodate 2,500 people per day.

Best Historic Ballpark Collection

Bruce Hellerstein's Ballpark Museum

Safe at home! Bruce Hellerstein calls it "the one and only museum totally dedicated to our national pastime's ballparks," and it's certainly the biggest baseball museum this side of the Mississippi. It's also the only one located in a home, but still open to the public (by appointment only, and just on weekends). Hellerstein's personal collection includes seats from thirty parks, bricks, photographs, postcards, miscellanea and a re-creation of the domed entrance to Ebbets Field. Not life-sized, sadly.

Best Historic Ballpark Collection

Bruce Hellerstein's Ballpark Museum

Safe at home! Bruce Hellerstein calls it "the one and only museum totally dedicated to our national pastime's ballparks," and it's certainly the biggest baseball museum this side of the Mississippi. It's also the only one located in a home, but still open to the public (by appointment only, and just on weekends). Hellerstein's personal collection includes seats from thirty parks, bricks, photographs, postcards, miscellanea and a re-creation of the domed entrance to Ebbets Field. Not life-sized, sadly.

Best Young Planetarium

Steele Elementary

Once upon a time, Room 103 of Denver's Steele Elementary School was just another classroom -- then it became a shining example of educational enterprise. First, in 1983, someone hung a dome from the ceiling and added a projector to throw changing images of the night sky across it. Then, in 1989, fifth-grade teacher Ralph Sodano officially became Denver Public Schools' resident astronomy educator. Today he gives two or three shows a day to more than 6,000 children annually. The shows, presented during the school year, and only by appointment, are always free, even to groups from outside DPS. Sodano organizes his displays for the appropriate age and education level; otherwise, the sky's the limit. Steele's a star!

Best Young Planetarium

Steele Elementary

Once upon a time, Room 103 of Denver's Steele Elementary School was just another classroom -- then it became a shining example of educational enterprise. First, in 1983, someone hung a dome from the ceiling and added a projector to throw changing images of the night sky across it. Then, in 1989, fifth-grade teacher Ralph Sodano officially became Denver Public Schools' resident astronomy educator. Today he gives two or three shows a day to more than 6,000 children annually. The shows, presented during the school year, and only by appointment, are always free, even to groups from outside DPS. Sodano organizes his displays for the appropriate age and education level; otherwise, the sky's the limit. Steele's a star!

Best Sporty Marshal

McMike Shanahan

While the pot o' Super Bowl gold has eluded him recently, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan felt at home as grand marshal of this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Denver. Although parade organizers make a point about it being the "second largest" such event in the U.S., it's doubtful that Shanahan would stand pat, so to speak, with that. He was probably scanning the waiver wires afterward, scouting out a few first-round bagpipers and some beefy leprechauns to bring this parade to the top.

Best Sporty Marshal

McMike Shanahan

While the pot o' Super Bowl gold has eluded him recently, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan felt at home as grand marshal of this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Denver. Although parade organizers make a point about it being the "second largest" such event in the U.S., it's doubtful that Shanahan would stand pat, so to speak, with that. He was probably scanning the waiver wires afterward, scouting out a few first-round bagpipers and some beefy leprechauns to bring this parade to the top.

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