Times staff, wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

obituary

ex-UNLV STAR gilliam, 47, dies playing basketball

PITTSBURGH — Armen Gilliam, who was part of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels who made a run to the Final Four in 1987 and played for several NBA teams, died Tuesday night at 47.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Wednesday that Mr. Gilliam died at the LA Fitness gym in Bridgeville while playing basketball. The cause of death has not been determined.

Nicknamed "The Hammer," Mr. Gilliam was the leading scorer on the 1987 UNLV team coached by Jerry Tarkanian.

"In my ratings, I had Larry Johnson No. 1 and Armen No. 2," Tarkanian said. "He was such a great person. Everybody loved him and he loved everybody. He was such a gentle person and such a caring guy."

The Suns selected Mr. Gilliam No. 2 in the 1987 draft. He also played with the then-Charlotte Hornets, 76ers, Nets, Bucks and Jazz.

tennis

Injury forces women's No. 1 out of tourney

Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki retired from her second-round match at the Swedish Open in Bastad against Sofia Arvidsson because of a shoulder injury.

Second-ranked Flavia Pennetta advanced after defeating Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-3.

Hall of Fame Championships: Top-seeded John Isner of Tampa rode his big serve into the quarterfinals in Newport, R.I., beating Arnaud Clement 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

nhl

Lightning signs center Pyatt, 24

The Lightning signed center Tom Pyatt to a one-year, two-way contract. Pyatt, 24, had two goals, seven points and nine penalty minutes last season in 61 games with the Canadiens. … The team announced the start time for the Dec. 12 game with the Devils at the St. Pete Times Forum has been changed to 7 p.m. from 7:30.

Blues: Veteran forwards Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott signed one-year deals worth $2.5 million, plus $300,000 in bonuses.

Capitals: Forward Troy Brouwer, 25, signed a two-year, $4.7 million contract.

ET CETERA

Olympics: The South Korean city of Pyeongchang will host the 2018 Winter Games.

Basketball: Croatia defeated the United States (5-1) 87-85 in the second round of FIBA's Under 19 World Championship in Riga, Latvia.

Damian Cristodero, Times staff writer; Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Indians 5, Yankees 3

CLEVELAND — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hit a double to pull within three hits of 3,000 for his career, but Cleveland's Justin Masterson threw eight scoreless innings to win for just the second time since April 26. He turned it over in the ninth to the bullpen, but Vinnie Pestano gave up three runs. Closer Chris Perez came on to get three outs for his 21st save. Rookie Lonnie Chisenhall hit his first career homer for Cleveland.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Nationals 5, Cubs 4

WASHINGTON — Wilson Ramos drove in Michael Morse with the tiebreaking run on a seventh-inning suicide squeeze. Ramos had missed the sign earlier in the count and swung away with Morse charging home, but he fouled it off. Danny Espinosa and Ryan Zimmerman hit two-run homers for the Nationals.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 4

BOSTON — Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis had three extra-base hits apiece, and 44-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield scattered nine hits in seven innings for his 198th career win. Ricky Romero gave up leadoff homers in the first two innings, to Ellsbury and Youkilis, and allowed five straight hits in a four-run fourth.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Marlins 7, Phillies 6

10 innings

MIAMI — Mike Stanton, who had struck out twice and hit into a double play, smacked a solo homer with one out in the 10th as the Marlins overcame a four-run deficit.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

WOLFSBURG, Germany — The warning signs were there all along. In Cancun, Mexico, in November. In Chongqing, China, in January. In London in April.

Each of those games ended in a 2-1 loss for the U.S. women's soccer team — first to Mexico, then to Sweden, then to England. Each time the message was the same: The United States, once regarded as virtually invincible, is invincible no more.

Wednesday at the World Cup, Sweden proved the point, handing the Americans another 2-1 loss, and this time the consequences for the United States could be unpleasant. Instead of playing a relative soccer minnow, Australia, in the quarterfinals, the United States has to play unbeaten, untied and unscored-upon Brazil on Sunday.

Brazil beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 to secure the top spot in Group D.

Suddenly, the prospects of the United States adding a World Cup title to those won in 1991 and 1999 do not look as rosy. It was Brazil that routed the Americans 4-0 in the semifinals of the 2007 World Cup.

Brazil has swept through this tournament. Along with host Germany and Sweden, it is 3-0 after the first round.

The Americans needed only a tie to avoid Brazil in the quarters. Instead, they suffered their first loss ever in Cup group play and lost their group, C, to Sweden.

"After, what I said to the team is, my glass is half full," coach Pia Sundhage said. "Even though we lost, we can come out as a winner if we take a different path. … I really want us to embrace this process. I think the team will get stronger. That's the plan."

Goals by Lisa Dahlkvist, on a penalty kick, and Nilla Fischer, on a deflected free kick, gave the Swedes a 2-0 halftime lead.

Former Gator Abby Wambach got the United States back in the game in the 67th minute with her first goal of the tournament, but as they have all year, the Americans squandered too many other chances.

Wambach, who played despite missing the previous two days of practice with tendinitis in her right Achilles' tendon, said adversity would only strengthen U.S. resolve. "That's kind of been our journey so far, so why change things now?" she said.

Sweden put the United States on its heels early after Amy LePeilbet tripped Lotta Schelin in the box in the 14th minute to give the Swedes a penalty kick. Dahlkvist curled the ball into the left side of the net. U.S. goalie Hope Solo dived in full stretch, but the ball was just beyond her fingertips.

"I was thinking that she's smaller than me now in this moment," Dahlkvist said of Solo. "She's afraid of me."

The goal snapped Solo's scoreless streak at 796 minutes, second longest in U.S. history. It also ended a run of eight shutouts, dating to March 2010.

Sweden is one of the few teams that can match up physically with the Americans, and they didn't always handle it well, such as in the 35th minute, when Rachel Buehler was whistled for dragging down Therese Sjogran about 25 yards out.

Fischer, filling in as captain with Caroline Seger serving a yellow-card suspension, hammered a free kick into LePeilbet's thigh. Solo, already moving to her left, was caught off-guard and could do nothing to stop the ball from bouncing into the net. "It was very unfortunate," Solo said.

Other games: Kyah Simon scored twice to give Australia a 2-1 win over Norway and put her team into the quarters and eliminate Norway. … Already-eliminated North Korea and Colombia drew 0-0. Neither team scored a goal at the tournament.

Women's World Cup

GP W D L GF GA Pts

Germany 330 0 739

France32 0 1746

Nigeria 310 10 2 3

Canada 30 0 3170

GROUP B

GP W D L GF GA Pts

England32 10 527

Japan3201636

Mexico 30 21 372

New Zealand 30 12 461

GROUP C

GP W D L GF GA Pts

Sweden330 0 419

United States32 01626

North Korea 3012 0 3 1

Colombia 30 12 0 4 1

GROUP D

GP W D L GF GA Pts

Brazil 330 0 70 9

Australia 320 1 546

Norway 31 0 2253

Equ. Guinea 30 0 32 70

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jim Leyland is feeling more friction between umpires and teams. A day after the Tigers manager was among three ejections during a loss to the Angels, he said something must be done to improve relations between the sides.

"You can feel (the tension)," Leyland said before Wednesday's game. "That's just not a good situation. That usually causes blowups."

Leyland was ejected before the seventh during a prolonged argument with Joe West. It was Leyland's second ejection in nine days. Tigers ace Justin Verlander and Angels DH Bobby Abreu also were tossed.

Leyland, in his 20th season as a manager, said Joe Torre has been working on the issue in his new role as MLB executive vice president.

But he added players and managers must do their part.

"I'm not criticizing anybody," Leyland said. "I'm making the point that we all need to work together to resolve this situation because it's getting out of hand."

Clemens trial: Jury selection began for Roger Clemens' perjury trial in Washington and is expected to last until next week. Clemens is accused of lying under oath to the House Government Reform Committee in 2008 when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs during his pitching career. Also, a lawyer for the U.S. House said an audio recording of Clemens' deposition, during which 10 of the 15 counts were allegedly committed, can be made available only by a House resolution. The House previously released a transcript. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said the absence of the recording could jeopardize Clemens' right to a fair trial but he lacked the authority to order its release.

Lester to DL: Boston put LHP Jon Lester on the DL with a strained back muscle. He left Tuesday's start after four innings but hopes to miss just one start.

Webb setback: Rangers RHP Brandon Webb likely won't pitch this year after experiencing more pain in his surgically repaired right rotator cuff. The 2006 Cy Young winner for Arizona, who missed all of 2010 and signed one-year, $3 million deal this past offseason, might need more surgery.

Brewers: LF Ryan Braun missed his fourth game because of a sore left calf and had an MRI exam. Results weren't disclosed.

Indians: SS Asdrubal Cabrera started a day after leaving a game early with a sprained right ankle sustained while making a leaping throw. Also, 1B and ex-Gator star Matt LaPorta was activated after missing 16 games with a sprained right ankle.

Phillies: 3B Placido Polanco missed his second game because of a sore back but said he still expects to play in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Tigers: RF Brennan Boesch sat a day after fouling a pitch off his right knee. He is day to day.

Twins: Manager Ron Gardenhire said he plans to give Joe Mauer his first career start at first base today. With Justin Morneau out for neck surgery, the Twins hope to keep the 2009 MVP in the lineup when he needs a break from catching.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Alexi Ogando allowed four hits over seven innings in his last start before the All-Star break as the Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the Orioles with a 13-5 victory on Wednesday.

Ogando broke a tie with Colby Lewis and C.J. Wilson to take over the team lead in wins with nine, turning in his second straight effective outing after losing three straight starts.

Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie gave up four runs in the first and six runs and eight hits over five innings as he took over the American League lead in losses with 11.

Texas loaded the bases with no outs in the first. Adrian Beltre's sac fly made it 1-0. Michael Young followed with a double that brought home another run, and Nelson Cruz followed with a two-run single.

Mike Napoli had a three-run homer while the Rangers broke the game open with a four-run seventh. Young and Cruz also had three RBIs for Texas.

Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Rangers 13, Orioles 5

ARLINGTON, Texas — Alexi Ogando turned in his second straight effective outing after losing three straight as the Rangers completed a three-game sweep. The right-hander broke a tie with Colby Lewis and C.J. Wilson to take over the team lead in wins. Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie took over the American League lead in losses.

Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Mets 5, Dodgers 3

LOS ANGELES — Ruben Tejada, filling in for injured star shortstop Jose Reyes, doubled home two runs to cap a three-run sixth for the Mets, who have won four in a row. New York moved to three games over .500 for the first time since July 23, 2010. Jonathon Niese improved to 8-4 over his past 14 starts and has won four consecutive road starts. Hiroki Kuroda fell to 1-5 with a 5.75 ERA in seven starts against the Mets.

Times staff
Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Florida Gators are the state's favorite college sports program, according to a poll of 848 statewide voters in mid June by Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling. The results with a margin of error of 3.4 percent:

Florida 30

FSU 19

UCF 11

Miami 9

USF 6

Florida Atlantic 5

Florida International 1

Other results showed the Bucs as favorite pro team with 17 percent edging the Dolphins and Jaguars at 16 each. The Rays tied the Magic for fifth place at 11 percent (the Heat were fourth at 14). The Marlins had 10 percent, Lightning 4 and Panthers 2.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays placed RHP Wade Davis on the DL with a forearm strain and are recalling RHP Brandon Gomes from Triple-A Durham.

Davis, 25, is 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA (103.2-IP, 49-ER) , pitching five innings on Wednesday in Minnesota, admitting afterward he had his "worst stuff" of the year.

Since Davis wasn't scheduled to pitch during the four games in New York, the addition of Gomes gives the Rays an extra bullpen arm. He would be eligible to return July 22, so he could conceivably just miss one start.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 7, 2011

USF Bulls men's basketball coach Stan Heath has made a switch among his assistants, with director of basketball operations Andy Hipsher being promoted to one of his three assistants and Reggie Hanson moving into Hipsher's old position, which does not involve off-campus recruiting or on-court coaching.

"I don't look at this as a negative. From the outside, it looks like 'What's going on?'" Heath said by phone while scouting recruits Thursday. "I'm excited about the dynamic of my coaching staff for this season. I think I have the right pieces in the right places."

Hipsher, the son of former USF assistant Dan Hipsher, is out on the road recruiting this week, but Heath said that wasn't the impetus for the change. Hipsher, who is single, has more time to spend working with players on the courts of USF's new Muma Center practice facility. "I want him to live in the gym, morning, noon and night," Heath said.

Hanson, who has been on Heath's staff since he came to USF in 2007, will still be involved in recruiting on campus, especially during official visits, Heath said. He thinks of the moves as a reorganization, and that's reflected in the fact that neither coach will have a change in salary despite their new positions.

Hanson will make $101,500, which USF says is the same salary he carried last season -- in response to a public-records request, USF had identified Hanson's salary as $115,000 in July 2010, but USF was adamant Thursday his salary had not changed. Hipsher will make the same $65,000 he made last season in his second year as director of operations. Heath's other two assistants, Steve Roccaforte and Eric Skeeters, will make $135,000 and $115,000 respectively in 2011-12.

Hanson, 42, is a former Kentucky standout whose daughter Tesha is a promising basketball recruit who led Hillsborough County in scoring this past season. Hipsher played collegiately at Akron and was an assistant at Western Michigan before joining Heath's staff in 2009.

It's been an offseason of significant change for USF basketball if only from a facilities standpoint -- construction will wrap up this month on the Muma Center, and a $35 million renovation of the Sun Dome is underway, a project that will likely have the Bulls playing all their home games off-campus this season. The Bulls are expected to open the season with an exhibition at the University of Tampa against the D-II Spartans, with more games possibly at the Bob Martinez Center but most likely at the St. Pete Times Forum downtown. USF is also likely to play one game at the Lakeland Center in November against D-II Florida Southern.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 7, 2011

He didn't walk away from Omaha with a national championship trophy, but Florida Gators baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan received a prestigious honor today.

The fourth-year Gator coach was named the 2011 College Coach of the Year by Baseball America. He led the Gators to a runner-up finish at the NCAA College World Series with a school-record 53 wins and an overall mark of 53-19. He is the first baseball coach from UF to collect the publication's yearly accolade.

Under O'Sullivan, Florida earned a trip to Omaha in consecutive seasons for the first time and made the College World Series for the seventh time in school history (1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011). Although UF lost in the CWS Championship Finals to South Carolina, the Gators earned a second-place showing for the second time in school history (2005).

O'Sullivan joined Joe Arnold (1988, 1991) and Andy Lopez (1996, 1998) as Gator head coaches who have made multiple trips to Omaha.

Florida reached the 40-win plateau for the 20th time in school history and the third-straight year under O'Sullivan and the school-record 53 wins marked the third time that the program exceeded 50 wins (also in 1991 & 1996).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 7, 2011

BRANDON — During his first shift of his first drill Thursday at the Lightning's development camp, Brett Connolly fell and slid into the Ice Sports Forum boards.

"I actually slipped on my skate guards," Connolly said later. "I'm fine. It happens."

Still, that's not exactly the start hoped for by a player who needs to put his best foot forward.

Of all Tampa Bay's prospects gathered for the six-day camp, Connolly, 19, is under the most scrutiny and pressure.

The No. 6 overall pick of the 2010 draft needs to stay healthy next season to overcome red flags that he is injury prone. And with expectations the wing again will play for Prince George of the junior Western league, Connolly has to be an alpha player to justify his draft position and a three-year contract that when he gets to the NHL will pay a base salary of $900,000.

"It's a very, very important year for him," general manager Steve Yzerman said. "By no means is it going to determine the outcome of his career, but he's 19, it's his last year of junior, it's his fourth season. It's time for him to be a dominant player."

"A little bit," Connolly said when asked if he feels the pressure. "Even coming right out of the draft, you're expected to be a very good player. It's something I've got to deal with from where I was picked."

That Connolly was picked so high was a bit of a surprise. His skill is undeniable — "He can handle the puck, he can shoot, and he can skate," said Al Murray, Tampa Bay's director of amateur scouting — but Connolly missed almost all of 2009-10 because of hip injuries.

Though he played well last season, with 46 goals and 73 points in 59 games for Prince George, he separated a shoulder in the playoffs.

Does Yzerman want to see Connolly stay healthy? "I certainly would," he said. "Things happen, but he plays a lot of minutes, he's got the puck a lot, he's going to get banged around. All the more reason for him to get stronger."

Tampa Bay also wants Connolly to augment an ability to protect the puck by, as Murray said, "knocking people off the puck."

Connolly, 6 feet 3, 199 pounds, knows it all is about strength. That is why the Prince George, British Columbia, native in May moved in with relatives in Toronto so he could train with fitness guru Pete Renzetti. He also is working with power-skating instructor Barbara Underhill.

"My skating has improved already," Connolly said. "I'm quicker. Just getting out of the corners, I feel stronger and can push off guys. … I'm looking forward to this camp and the regular camp to see how I stack up against the big guys."

"What I'm most impressed with is his physical appearance," said AHL Norfolk coach Jon Cooper, who is helping run the camp. "Last year at this time, he looked like a little boy. When I saw him this time, he looked like a man. That means he dedicated himself in the weight room. He's taking all the right steps to be where he needs to be."

Except for that first step in his first drill.

INJURIES: Norfolk goalie Dustin Tokarski is at camp but as a precaution will not skate because of what the team called a minor abdominal injury sustained at the end of last season. … Norfolk center James Wright did not skate in the morning session — sore knees from working out, he said — but skated in the afternoon.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Making news

NonProfit Gets Money, gift for Bay work

Sometimes, people do nothing, because they can only do a little. But as the great American anthropologist Margaret Mead once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Organizations such as Tampa Bay Watch rely on volunteers to do everything from salt marsh plantings to oyster bar construction. This nonprofit organization, started 18 years ago in the spare bedroom of executive director Peter Clark's house, has done more to improve the water quality in the bay, and as a result, both inshore and offshore fisheries, than any other nongovernmental agency.

Groups such as the Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers provide support for everything from beach cleanups to monofilament line removal projects on local bird colony islands.

Pinellas Park outdoor retailer, the Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure, sells the kayaks that many of these volunteers paddle. The store, which has been selling outdoors gear for 65 years, is a member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. The organization, comprised of 38 independent outdoor retailers, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the outdoor experience.

Many of these stores sell gear from Patagonia, a Reno, Nev.-based clothing company, known for its activism. The company's mission statement is simple: "Make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."

Since 1985, Patagonia has given more than $30 million to more than 1,000 grassroots organizations, such as Tampa Bay Watch.

On Monday, Patagonia and the Grass Roots Alliance will award Tampa Bay Watch $1,500 along with a matching gift of $500 from Bill Jackson's.

The $2,000 will go a long way in helping restore the bay's ecosystems.

"With the money we will be able to buy 6 tons of materials for oyster bars, make 40 oyster domes or pay for five school groups to come and send a day at our science center," Clark said.

To learn more about Tampa Bay Watch and its volunteer programs, go to tampabay watch.org, or head to the Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure (9501 U.S. 19 N).

Upcoming

• Sunday through July 19: Regional blue crab trap harvest closure for the Tampa Bay region. Any traps remaining in the water will be considered derelict and removed.

• July 11: Start of four-week St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron boating course. 7-9 p.m. Cost of materials: $35. Information: online at boating-stpete.org or call (727) 498-4001.

Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor

By Rick Frazier, Times Correspondent
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Tarpon update: Weekend No. 6 of the 10-week Suncoast Tarpon Roundup was one of the better ones to date. Jeff Owens released 11 tarpon over the three-day fishing period and was the overall weekly winner. He released five silver kings June 24, four June 25, and two June 26. Mike Clark released six tarpon, all on June 25.

Women's division angler Mary Quinette released two fish, as did Landlubber division angler James Roehm. The Junior division winner for the week was Gavin McLay, who released one tarpon.

Week 7 was not quite as productive, but 15 fish came to leader July 1, 2 and 3. Clark released eight fish, giving him a total of 16 and the lead in the overall division.

Quinette released two more tarpon, giving her a total of 11 and the top spot in the Women's division. Landlubber division leader Roehm released two more. And Logan Clark tops the overall Junior division with three after releasing one during the weekend.

Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 510-4376.

Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Braves 6, Rockies 3

ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman's three-run homer in the third helped the Braves cap a four-game sweep. The rookie had four homers and seven RBIs in the series. Craig Kimbrel's 27 saves lead the majors and are the most by a rookie before the All-Star break (one more than Boston's Jonathan Papelbon in 2006) since saves became an official stat in 1969.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, July 7, 2011

BOCA GRANDE

Mark Davis has fished all over the world and caught everything from blue marlin to big sharks. But nothing gets the South Carolina native's blood boiling like a good old-fashioned "wrasslin' " match with a ravenous goliath grouper. "This is a full-contact sport," Davis told his friend, Andy Pickett. "Get ready for the fight of your life." Davis, the host of the Outdoor Channel's Big Water Adventures and Pickett, who runs a fishing website in his hometown of Charleston, traveled to Florida recently for a little rest and relaxation.

For Davis, that meant catching snook, redfish and trout instead of the usual big-game fish he pursues on his TV show. But then guide Ryan Rowan told the pair about a southwest Florida tradition, catching fish the size of Volkswagens underneath the old phosphate docks on Boca Grande Pass.

Looming down under

"We can go out and catch them every day," Rowan said. "It is a regular part of my business."

This historic fishing hole is best known for tarpon and the monster hammerheads that feed upon them. But the 12-fathom-deep pass also has a large resident population of goliath grouper, a protected species that many fishermen and scuba divers would like to see reopened for harvest.

These fish, the largest member of the grouper family, have been off limits since 1990. These massive bottom dwellers, which can grow to be more than 7 feet long and weigh more than 800 pounds, can literally inhale a legal-sized gag or red grouper.

Underwater, goliath grouper look lazy, some might say feeble, until there is an injured or hooked fish in sight. That's when these bruisers move with astonishing speed.

Many recreational anglers and spearfishermen blame these opportunistic predators for the downturn in local gag and red grouper stocks, and they want the goliath grouper population culled. But it is unlikely federal fishery managers will open them to harvest any time soon. It is illegal to possess these fish, but anglers can catch and release them, as long as they don't bring them inside the boat.

"That is why you get in the water with the fish," Davis said. "And let it go, no worse for wear."

Twenty years ago, goliath grouper were in short supply. A spearfishermen would be lucky to see one or two of these fish on one of the major offshore wrecks. But two decades of protection have helped this species recover. Now it is not uncommon to see a dozen of these tackle busters in a single dive.

Today, goliath grouper are found in good numbers throughout subtropical and tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. In areas such as Boca Grande Pass, where a deep channel runs close to shore, you can catch these normally deepwater fish around docks and pilings.

Big bodies, appetites

"Their favorite food is stingrays," Rowan said. "You just drop one down, bounce it off the bottom, and hold on."

Like most large predators, these fish ambush prey. Goliath grouper can open and close their mouths quickly, causing a change in water pressure that allows them to literally suck in unsuspecting victims.

According to marine biologists, goliath grouper eat crustaceans and a variety of slow-moving finfish such as toadfish, filefish and catfish. Researchers say there is no direct evidence to suggest that these lords of the deep actively hunt and capture faster moving species. But goliath grouper will eat whatever crosses their paths, including a hooked fish, even if it is just a few feet below the surface.

Davis has caught his share of 500-pound fish from beneath the docks of Boca Grande. Pickett, however, had only seen the photos and videos.

"I've got to catch one," Pickett said. "… just to show my son."

Rowan's goliath grouper outfit includes an 80-pound Fin-Nor stand-up rod and matching Santiago 50-Wide two-speed reel, rigged with 400-pound test and topped with a Mustad 16/0 Demon Perfect circle hook.

"Once you get the fish out from under the dock, it is just a battle of wills," Rowan said.

Pickett took his place in a folding lawn chair on the deck of the boat. The stingray was only in the water 10 seconds before the rod bent. The boat was put into reverse to drag the fish away from the structure. That's when the heavy lifting started.

Pickett fought the fish in open water for 15 minutes, gradually leading it to the shallows, where Davis hopped in the water.

By now, spectators had gathered on the beach to watch the men wrestle the 300-pound fish. Davis and Pickett worked to quickly unhook and release the fish, which swam back to the phosphate docks.

The two men high-fived, and Pickett took a look at the digital photograph on the camera. "Now that's a keeper," he said.

To book a goliath grouper charter, contact Ryan Rowan at (941) 706-5061 or go to tarponcaptain.com.

Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Sprint Cup

What: Quaker State 400

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.), qualifying (Speed, 5 p.m.); Saturday, race, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, 6:30 p.m.), Sparta, Ky.

Fast facts: Last year's was the inaugural race. … David Ragan won last week at Daytona International Speedway, a little over four months after a late-race gaffe cost him a victory in the Daytona 500.

Standings: 1. Kevin Harvick, 586; 2. Carl Edwards, 581; 3. Kyle Busch, 576; 4. Kurt Busch, 570; 5. Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, 564; 7. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 534; 8. Jeff Gordon, 519; 9. Clint Bowyer, 505; 10. Ryan Newman, 498.

Nationwide

What: Feed the Children 300

When/where: Today, practice, qualifying (Speed, 3:30 p.m.), race (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.), Sparta, Ky.

Fast facts: Last year Joey Logano became the first Nationwide driver to win three consecutive races from the pole at one track. … Last week Logano won at Daytona off a last-lap push from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch. Busch was fourth. … Busch has five victories this year and 48 overall, one short of Mark Martin's Nationwide record.

Standings: 1. Reed Sorenson, 610; 2. Elliott Sadler, 601; 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 579; 4. Justin Allgaier, 573; 5. Jason Leffler, 537; 6. Aric Almirola, 529; 7. Kenny Wallace, 494; 8. Steve Wallace, 467; 9. Brian Scott, 454; 10. Michael Annett, 446.

IndyCar

What: Honda Indy Toronto

When/where: Today, practice; Saturday, practice, qualifying (Versus, 5:30 p.m.); Sunday, race, (Versus, 2:30 p.m.), Toronto.

Fast facts: Last year Will Power raced to the fourth of his five 2010 wins, passing Justin Wilson off a restart with 14 laps left and holding off Dario Franchitti.

Standings: 1. Franchitti, 303; 2. Power, 283; 3. Scott Dixon, 230; 4. Oriol Servia, 214; 5. Tony Kanaan, 211; 6. Ryan Briscoe, 193; 7. Graham Rahal, 191; 8. Marco Andretti, 184; 9. J.R. Hildebrand, 169; 10. Alex Tagliani, Danica Patrick, 161.

Formula One

What: British Grand Prix

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 8 a.m.); Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 8 a.m.); Sunday, race (Ch. 13, taped, noon), Silverstone, England.

Fast facts: Last year Mark Webber won the third of his four 2010 victories, overtaking teammate Sebastian Vettel on the first lap.

Standings: 1. Vettel, 186; 2. Jenson Button, Webber, 109; 4. Lewis Hamilton, 97; 5. Fernando Alonso, 87; 6. Felipe Massa, 42; 7. Nico Rosberg, 32; 8. Vitaly Petrov, 31; 9. Nick Heidfeld, 30; 10. Michael Schumacher, 26.

NHRA

What: Route 66 Nationals

When/where: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, taped, 9:30 p.m.); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, taped, 9 p.m.), Joliet, Ill.

Fast facts: Last year Larry Dixon raced to the fifth of his record 12 Top Fuel victories in 2010, beating Tony Schumacher in the final.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 884; 2. Spencer Massey, 823; 3. Dixon, 809. Funny Car — 1. Mike Neff, 881; 2. Jack Beckman, 757; 3. Robert Hight, 755. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 774; 2. Mike Edwards, 725; 3. Vincent Nobile, 713. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 425; 2. Karen Stoffer, 380; 3. Andrew Hines, 369.

Trucks

Next: Coca-Cola 200, Newton, Iowa, July 16.

Standings: 1. Johnny Sauter, 347; 2. Cole Whitt, 324; 3. Austin Dillon, 322; 4. James Buescher, 315; 5. Parker Kligerman, 312; 6. Ron Hornaday Jr., 310; 7. Timothy Peters, 308; 8. Matt Crafton, 297; 9. Joey Coulter, 292; 10. Brendan Gaughan, 287.