BLOGS, also called Web logs, are increasingly common and many supplement the news coverage of traditional media outlets. By their very nature, blogs are personal accounts of events and often are made up of mostly text, although increasingly they may also include photos, video, music and other rich media.

Initially, blogs targeted adult audiences and focused on topics of interest to them. The blog search engine Technorati is currently tracking 112.8 million blogs globally. With the enormous adoption of blogging technology and with hundreds of millions of children online globally, it’s to be expected that new blogs would be created with an emphasis on a younger audience.

A great example of this is the Arabian American Little League (AALL) All-Stars weblog (http://aallallstars.wordpress.com/). This blog is about the Dhahran Little League Baseball team’s quest to win the 2008 Little League Baseball World Series. The blog was launched at the beginning of July and has thus far covered the team’s selection, preparation and games for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) qualifying tournament. Held in Kutno, Poland, the MEA tournament is the first step toward winning the Little League Baseball World Series.

The Arabian American Little League All-Stars really were stars in Kutno. They won every game including the championship, held on Sunday. The AALL All Stars blog has provided timely, informative coverage for all their fans back in Dhahran as well as their extended families around the world. Details of each game, including scores and photos, have allowed everyone to follow the action closely and delight in the team’s strong showing. Through the blog the team has received far more publicity and international coverage than would ever have been possible relying on traditional media resources.

Next, it will be off to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA where the Arabian American Little League All-Stars will compete in the Little League Baseball World Series to be held Aug. 15-24. Follow the games through the AALL All Stars blog and through the Little League website (www.littleleague.org/series/2008divisions/llbb/series.htm). Go team!