THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Plenty to wonder, and laugh about, these days

It’s getting harder to write enjoyable columns.

You’d think the Mariners (heads still above water) and the World Cup would be rocking this month, but there are several “yuck” stories that keep getting in the way.

The first real shocker involves Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

And what’s he doing these days?

Well, it turns out NCAA hit him with a lifetime ban for gambling (around $90,000 overall, and wagers on at least 40 games in which he played).

Sorsby has admitted to the gambling, and gone to a rehab facility to get some help.

This tale should have a fast ending: Sorsby is banned from Texas Tech, and we all hope the young man goes on to turn his life around.

But, no.

Sorsby sued for the right to play and won.

The NCAA is appealing, but the appellate board contains four Texas Tech grads.

So, college athletes can get paid to play these days, then make a bet if they see a game they like.

What’s the point spread on Tech vs Kansas?

I’m getting a little ill.

ITEM: It was always a cinch that the United States would botch the World Cup.

The global extravaganza starts this week, runs for about a month, and the U.S. is in a fight already.

Think about it: The Trump administration takes an incredibly hard line on immigration, to the point where citizens from 17 countries are banned from entry to the U.S.

Now, you have a country with that sort of policy hosting a sports event that’s open to all countries who qualify.

Pow!

That isn’t going to work.

Ironically, the flashpoint came in the case of a referee, Omar Artan.

One of the most respected officials in world soccer, Artan is a native of Somalia — and thus not allowed into the U.S.

The rest of the world is baffled by the hard-line policy — especially to the point where in most cases, individuals are not judged on a case-by-case basis.

Artan, for instance, is welcome everywhere in the world, but not here.

Everyone looks ridiculous in this affair: the United States, for obvious reasons; and FIFA, for staging its international showpiece in a country that is going to forbid entry to teams, coaches, referees and so forth.

FIFA’s goal is the same as it was with the 2022 World Cup in tiny (but absurdly wealthy) Qatar: piles of money from tournament organizers and sponsors who want a piece of the action.

The result is embarrassment on both sides.

The U.S. in globally unpopular for its restrictions and bullying — mostly of Muslim majority nations — as much as the world loves this massive soccer tournament, but has no respect for FIFA.

Dozens of FIFA officials have been arrested over the years for involvement in schemes that shovel money to the organization’s headquarters in Switzerland.

Host countries and FIFA itself get away with their self-serving plans because they own the most popular sports event on the planet.

Meanwhile, people who belong at the World Cup (like Omar Artan) wind up as victims.

ITEM: Josh Naylor is becoming the Mariners most popular player.

It’s not because he’s a nice, polite fellow who gets along with all his fellow ballplayers.

In fact, in another life Naylor might have been a pirate.

Arizona pitcher (and former Mariner) Paul Sewald explained the Naylor conundrum this way.

“If he’s on your team, you think he’s the greatest,” Sewald said. “If he’s on another team, you hate him.”

Naylor knows he has that reputation, and he doesn’t mind it a bit.

In fact, if it gets into opponents’ heads, and maybe helps win a game, perfect.

Just last week in Detroit, Naylor was hustling to score on a base hit, saw that the play at the plate might be close, and threw his sliding glove at catcher Dillon Dingler.

Anything for a distraction.

It was not ruled illegal (though it might be in the future), which totally amused Naylor.

“I’m just trying to win a game,” Naylor said. “Sometimes, you need to reach out for something unusual.”

Josh is just the guy to do it.

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On."