Times wires
Monday, August 22, 2011
Orioles 4, Twins 1
MINNEAPOLIS — J.J. Hardy homered against the team that traded him in the offseason, Zach Britton won for the first time in 10 weeks and the Orioles snapped a five-game losing streak. Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth for his 18th save. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and third baseman Danny Valencia were ejected by plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in the eighth inning after Valencia struck out.
Times wires
Monday, August 22, 2011
Braves 3, Cubs 0
CHICAGO — Jair Jurrjens pitched in and out of trouble, and the Braves got home runs from Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman in their fifth straight win. Uggla's two shots gave him 30 homers for the fifth straight season. No other second baseman in major-league history has reached 30 more than three times overall.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 22, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — Jeff Niemann did his part in Monday's marquee matchup with Tigers ace Justin Verlander, pitching solidly into the eighth inning. So did Matt Joyce, who made the unexpected move to the leadoff spot look brilliant with a first-inning home run.
But the rest of the Rays — at the plate, in the field and out of the bullpen — didn't provide much support in a lackluster 5-2 loss to the Tigers.
The game, which snapped the Rays' season-high matching five-game winning streak and dropped them to 69-57 and 8½ games behind the idle first-place Yankees in the AL East, wasn't all they lost before a small first-day-of-school crowd of 13,048 that seemed to roar pro-Tiger.
Centerfielder B.J. Upton left with a right shoulder strain just before a collision with the wall in Detroit's eighth-inning rally that extended their lead from 2-1 to 4-1.
Manager Joe Maddon said Upton is unlikely to play tonight, but the Rays don't consider the injury to be serious or result in an extended absence. Upton said he was not going for an MRI exam and would come in today and see how it felt.
"I think I just kind of overextended my right arm, the muscle just kind of went numb and it started to hurt a little bit," Upton said.
After the game, he said it began to feel tight.
Upton was chasing Delmon Young's drive to right-center and had several steps to slow down before hitting the wall but went down quickly and in obvious pain. He tried one practice throw, then flipped the ball in disgust before attempting a second and leaving the game.
The Rays said he was considered day to day.
Joyce's homer was the only Rays run until Evan Longoria homered leading off the ninth.
Niemann, losing for the first time in 11 starts since coming off the disabled list, worked 71/3 innings, allowing six hits but being charged with four runs as two scored after he left. Verlander picked up his major-league-leading 19th win for his solid seven innings, allowing the one run and three hits.
Young's double, after a one-out single by Brennan Boesch (after Niemann appeared to have him struck out), put men on second and third, and Niemann intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera to load the bases. Jake McGee came on to strike out Al Avila, then Juan Cruz allowed a single to Jhonny Peralta that ended up scoring two runs as Longoria mishandled the relay, which appeared to have been in time to nab Cabrera at third before Young scored.
Another of Maddon's unconventional moves paid off as Joyce knocked Verlander's fourth pitch into the rightfield seats.
The Tigers — without Rays-killer Victor Martinez, who was scratched due to back spasms — came right back to take a 2-1 lead. Cabrera opened the second with a single to center, and catcher Avila then drove a 1-and-0 pitch over the leftfield fence.
The game was framed as a matchup between the American League's best starter, as Verlander came in leading with 18 wins, 204 strikeouts and a .187 opponents average, and its hottest starter, as Niemann had won a team-record-tying seven straight decisions in 10 starts since coming off the DL in late June.
Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.
Times wires
Monday, August 22, 2011
Rangers 4, Red Sox 0
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer as the AL West-leading Rangers returned home by beating the AL wild-card-leading Red Sox. Napoli's 21st homer, in the sixth, came off Erik Bedard, who is 0-2 in his four starts for Boston since being acquired July 31 from Seattle. The Rangers were coming off a 7-3 road trip. Boston hasn't beaten Texas this season; the Red Sox were swept in a three-game series at Arlington to open the season as part of their 0-6 start.
Times wires
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Pirates 9, Brewers 2
GAME 2
PITTSBURGH — Ryan Doumit homered and drove in two runs as the Pirates ended more than a year of futility against the Brewers to earn a split. Starter Zack Greinke lost for the first time in a month, and Milwaukee lost for just the fourth time in 23 games. Pittsburgh beat the Brewers for the first time since July 21, 2010, and scored a season-high seven runs in the seventh while chasing Greinke.
Times wires
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Rockies 9, Astros 5
DENVER — Jhoulys Chacin threw seven solid innings and had a two-run double, and Carlos Gonzalez homered and drove in three runs for the Rockies. All nine starters reached base for Colorado, which won its third straight. It was the first time Colorado beat right-hander Brett Myers.
Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writers
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
As Aqib Talib met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York Tuesday and braced for a possible suspension, Tampa Bay Buccaneers players prepared to be without arguably their best defensive player.
Talib, 25, has missed both Bucs preseason games due to a sore hamstring but was scheduled to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
"I don't know if he's going to be here or not as far as this upcoming game,'' cornerback Elbert Mack said. "I mean, he's the best corner we have on the team, so obviously, we want him to be around. I'm praying for the best for him.''
The Bucs have learned to adjust without Talib in the lineup. Last season, he was suspended the first game by Goodell for assaulting a St. Petersburg cab driver in 2009.
Talib also missed the final four games of 2010 after suffering a season-ending hip injury against Atlanta. He still led the Bucs with six interceptions.
E.J. Biggers, a seventh-round pick by the Bucs in 2009, has held down the left cornerback spot in Talib's absence. Biggers, who normally serves as the Bucs third defensive back on passing downs, finished with 53 tackles and one interception. Mack has moved up to take over the nickel cornerback role from Biggers.
Mack returned an interception for a touchdown in the Bucs' 31-14 loss to the New England Patriots last Friday.
"It gives us a chance to get out there and get to move around,'' Mack said. "Obviously, when two five (Talib) gets back, it bumps everybody back a spot from where ever you were. You know, it limits your playing time or it can give you more. You just never know. You've just got to go out there and make the best of your opportunity. I'm just thankful for the play I did get.''
Bucs coach Raheem Morris said he would treat a possible suspension of Talib for the second straight season as if it were an injury.
"For me, it's next man up,'' Morris said Tuesday. "I don't even look at it that way. It's the next guy out of the box. There's a reason you practice, there's a reason you practice with depth. There's a reason Mark Dominik drafts and steals corners from people because we prepare for everything. We want to be the deepest team in the league and the youngest team in the league, hungry, go out and play. I wish Aqib nothing but the best, but next man up theory. Don't even blink.''
Here's what general manager Mark Dominik had to say in his first comments on the matter:
"Obviously, in the preseason, we've had an opportunity to see a lot of young guys play and step up. I think a couple guys have played well for us in the preseason. It is what it is in this league. Sometimes you have tough injuries you have to deal with. Sometimes you have other things that could affect your football team. As coach Morris said, next man up. That's how we'll handle it."
The Bucs have gotten no indication on a timeline from the league office on possible punishment for Talib.
By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Imagine a team out of control, arrogant and defiant.
For so long, it has gone where it wished and done what it wanted, and to heck with anyone who had a problem with it. Its decisions are so confounding, and its actions are so baffling, that you cannot help but wonder if anyone has ever read a rule book.
Yes, you can suggest all of that about the football program at the University of Miami.
If you prefer, you can also say it about the NCAA investigators on the edge of campus.
This time, the NCAA needs to get it right. This time, they need to be thorough, they need to be accurate, they need to be wise. This time, they need to bring Sheriff Andy and leave all of the Barney Fifes at home.
It can be a confusing organization, the NCAA. It moved too slowly with USC, and it rushed too quickly with Ohio State, and who knows what it was thinking with Auburn? It was too tough on Florida State, and too easy on UConn and completely out of whack with Georgia Tech. In recent seasons, there have been times the NCAA seemed to have determined its punishments through The Spinning Dartboard of Justice.
And now the NCAA is at Miami's door.
Why shouldn't as many eyes be on the investigators as vice versa?
This is not a call for heads at Miami, nor is it a plea for mercy. As I wrote last week: If these charges are true, it won't be pretty. But until the facts have been uncovered, none of us knows what the right punishment should be.
What I would like to see here is a patient, methodical investigation by the NCAA. More than a hundred players should be interviewed. Dozens of coaches. Navin Shapiro. Documents should be reviewed. Phone records should be checked. Tough questions should be asked. Basically, the NCAA should care as much about Miami as Yahoo.com did.
That doesn't seem like a lot to ask, does it? But when has anyone been satisfied when the NCAA left town? No, no, I'm not talking about the angered fans whose team has had its chances of winning lessened. Every time a school is punished, you hear from them. They're never happy with punishment, and the media is always to blame, and besides, they will tell you, everyone does it. And so on.
For an organization that is in charge of answers, however, there are a lot of questions about the NCAA.
Honestly, why did it take the NCAA so long to get to the Reggie Bush scandal? Once it did, was the punishment excessive? USC got a two-year bowl ban, the loss of 30 scholarships over three years and had a national title and a Heisman taken away. It was harsh enough to make Ohio State, North Carolina, Oregon and Miami a little nervous.
Then there is Ohio State. If you remember, the NCAA announced that five players would be punished in 2011, but yeah, it was okay for them to play in the Sugar Bowl. That's silly. As soon as a player is dirty, shouldn't he be removed from the roster immediately? Of course he should. And could someone please explain, one more time, why it isn't a lack of institutional control when the head coach (the recently deposed Jim Tressel, in this case) knows his players are outside the rules and keeps it a secret?
Then there was Auburn. Granted, this was a tough one for the NCAA, because there hasn't been any evidence to suggest that Cecil Newton (the father of quarterback Cam Newton) asked Auburn for money (he did ask Mississippi State) or that his son knew about it. Still, why did Auburn rule Cam ineligible and have the NCAA immediately reinstate him the week of the SEC title game? If the NCAA didn't know anything, why should it do anything?
Compare the Newton case to that of Baylor basketball player Perry Jones, who was suspended the day of the Big 12 Conference. His violation? His mother Terri had borrowed $1,000 to help pay her mortgage. Not from Baylor, but from Jones' AAU coach, an old friend of the family. She said her son didn't know about it.
It goes on. Georgia Tech was hit with four years probation and vacated the 2009 ACC title because wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas reportedly was given $312 worth of clothes (and because Tech wasn't cooperative enough in the investigation), most of which he returned. Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden was stripped of victories because of cheating in a music course, a course he didn't know about in a building he couldn't find. I still find that silly. (Although not as silly as when the NCAA threatened to punish Clemson because its players were wearing illegal underwear before changing its mind.)
I know, I know. The NCAA is overwhelmed these days with the scandals at Miami and Ohio State and North Carolina and Oregon and Boise State and Tennessee and, it seems, everywhere else. It is an ugly, rotten time for college athletics, and it's hard to clean the sleaze off of so many goal posts.
It is because of that, however, that the NCAA investigators are counted on to be the justice department of college. Instead, they seem confused, reactionary, arbitrary. Think of it like this: punishment without logic isn't justice. It's just bullying.
Ask yourself this: Do you trust the NCAA? It's a telling question, isn't it?
This time, the charges against Miami are so reckless, so plentiful, so scandalous that a nation will pay as much attention to this investigation as to any in the history of college football.
Along the way, perhaps we should pay attention to the investigators, too.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Roy Miller, who suffered a partial left MCL tear in the first preseason game, said he hopes to return to practice next week and play in the exhibition finale against the Redskins.
Miller said surgery hasn't been talked about, but acknowledges he'll have to play through some pain this season.
"Everybody I've talked to with (an MCL injury) say it lingers," Miller said. "So hopefully it won't, but I've played through injuries before, it's nothing new. I feel good about it, I feel confident in it. Been working out hard, should be back there 100-percent soon...
"Just going to have to fight through it this year."
For all the talk about touted draft picks, DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers, as well as DT Gerald McCoy, defensive line coach Keith Millard has said it all starts with Miller in the middle, taking on double teams and stopping the run. But Miller knows how important it is to get on the field before the season starts.
"I know I need the reps," Miller said. "It's crazy, cause the lockout and everything, we haven't been able to get on the same page as far as hands, feet, everything. I just need every single rep I can get, so we'll see how it comes. I feel pretty confident in the stuff that I've been picking up over the years."
By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
When Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris singled out receiver Mike Williams for losing individual battles against the New England Patriots last week, he didn't just do it in the media.
Williams said Morris personally challenged him to win his one-on-one matchups after he was bottled up by Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty.
Morris "called the receivers out as a group because he called us the leader of the bus," Williams said. "But he really called me out for real. He told me, '(With) man coverage, we're going to the X.' That's where you have to go."
The 'X' is a reference to the split end, the term used for Williams' position in the Bucs' offensive scheme.
The press coverage utilized by the Patriots got the better of Tampa Bay's receivers. If teams continue to be successful with it, the Bucs will see it even more.
"On some plays, I don't know, I guess you could say I got gloved up," Williams said. "(On) some plays, it was just a lot of pressure. But he basically called me out and said I have to win quickly and do like I did last year."
Last year, Williams proved difficult to stop, excelling against all types of defensive tactics, including press coverage. He finished with a team-high 964 yards and 11 touchdowns, also a team high.
The goal is to show progress on Saturday against the Dolphins, when the Bucs' starting offense will play at least the whole first half.
"We definitely have to play better as a team," Williams said. "There's going to be a test with us playing the whole first half. I think last week was a good test for us to let us know we're not unstoppable like we think we are. We're going to come back next week and see what we've got."
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
It appears the wait is over for Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Arrelious Benn.
Coaches have been cautious with Benn during training camp and the preseason, considering he's coming off offseason left knee surgery. But Benn said he's ready for his first exhibition action, Saturday night against the Dolphins.
"I don't anticipate to do anything out of the normal," Benn said. "Just follow my game plan and do what I need to do."
Benn has impressed with his rapid recovery from the injury, with receivers coach Eric Yarber calling him a "medical marvel," not being able to tell which leg was hurt by the way he ran. But he's sit out the first two preseason games, with Dezmon Briscoe getting the starts opposite of WR Mike Williams.
Williams saying he's excited to see the starting offense finally together, specfically the receivers.
"If we're all out there, and we're rotating together, nobody can stop us," Williams said. "To see the whole offense together, and Regis back, it's going to be good to see that."
Both Williams and Briscoe say there's been an emphasis in practice for the receivers to step up, considering they lost some one-on-one battles in a loss to the Patriots.
"We think we're good where we're at," Williams said. "But it's a week we got to go out and prove that we're the receivers we say we are."
By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
GAINESVILLE — Caleb Sturgis began feeling the pain in his back midway through fall camp last season, but like a true competitor, he tried to shake it off. It's not that big a deal, the Florida kicker told himself. It'll be fine.
But as the season progressed and the pain worsened, it became evident something was seriously wrong.
"That was one thing, eventually it got to the point where I couldn't sleep," Sturgis said. "At the beginning of the season it was bearable, and then it got worse and worse."
When Florida traveled to play Alabama in October, Sturgis did not make the trip. He eventually missed the final nine games of the season with a stress fracture and herniated disc — which proved costly for Sturgis and the Gators.
After Sturgis went out, Florida went on a three-game losing streak, with two (LSU and Mississippi State) by four points or fewer. Then-senior punter Chas Henry, who hadn't kicked field goals since high school, was forced to step in. He missed two field goal attempts in the Gators' 10-7 loss to Mississippi State.
And all Sturgis could do was watch and wonder what might have been.
"Any time your team loses it's tough to watch so that was pretty hard," he said. "It was hard putting Chas through that. I can't say for certain that I would have made every kick if I had been out there, but you can't help but think about it and wonder."
Almost three weeks into fall preseason practice, Sturgis said he's feeling like his old self again. His leg is strong. His mind is right. He hasn't done much long-distance kicking, for precautionary reasons, but insists he can still hit in the 50-yard range just fine. Nearly everything is the same again — with the exception of his training routine, which may have contributed to the injury he said. New coach Will Muschamp has insisted that Sturgis start training more like a kicker than an outside linebacker.
"We changed his routine a little bit as far as the things he did," Muschamp said. "He's not doing squats anymore. Mickey (Marotti, strength and conditioning coach) wants to have him power clean, squat and dead-lift. We need him to be a good kicker."
Sturgis has been on the field for the Gators since he arrived from St. Augustine High in 2008. He handled kickoff duties his first season, averaging 63.7 yards on 90 kicks. In 2009, he was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top placekicker. He was 22-of-30 that season, including a career-long 56-yarder against Georgia. For his career, he's 24-for-34 on field goal attempts and 65-for-70 on PAT's.
His starting job for 2011 has already been locked up, and his role on a team trying to install a brand new offense may be invaluable.
"Right now, Caleb is by far the kicker," Muschamp said. "He has been very consistent. He's been kicking the ball extremely well thus far in camp."
The time away from the game last season helped Sturgis realize just how important football is. These days, taking care of his back is his primary priority.
He spends about half of his day taking extra precautions to make sure he can kick on consecutive days. He visits UF's athletic trainer daily for stretching, cold tank treatment and massages, as part of his treatment. He doesn't kick more than 40 balls per day.
"I think this is the best I've felt going in to any camp, kicking-wise," Sturgis said. "I think it might just be a year older and being able to appreciate what I lost. I'm really excited. I think this is the most excited I've been going into camp. I'm just excited to be back out there with the guys, and hopefully starting the season soon."
Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got some good news on the injury front today, as CB Myron Lewis (hamstring) and DT Brian Price (pelvis) were back at practice this afternoon.
Lewis only participated in the individual drills session, while Price practiced. Morris said there's a chance Lewis will play Saturday against the Dolphins.
*Morris also said they're on schedule to have TE Kellen Winslow and WR Arrelious Benn play in Saturday's game. For Benn, it will be his exhibition debut this season after coming off left knee surgery.
"It's been hard to hold (Benn) off the field the last couple weeks," Morris said. "Held him out sometimes because of bad weather, didn't want him to slip on some rainy field, and have an issue again. But he's been looking great. He's looked powerful, he's looked strong. Will be fun to get those guys out there, get all that speed back into our offense. Really it's been something that you've been missing...Rejus really brings that speed burst to us, that downfield threat."
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays CF B.J. Upton said an MRI of his strained right shoulder was good and he hopes to return to the lineup in a few days. "Still day to day," Upton said.
Upton said he could pinch-run tonight and might be able to pinch hit but didn't know yet because he hadn't tried to swing yet.
Upton said the shoulder was "stiff" and didn't feel much better than he did after Monday's game.
By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Planning for the 2011 Brooksville Cycling Classic, scheduled for Oct. 15 and 16, is under way, and the next meeting will take place at 2 p.m. Friday at Brooksville City Hall, 201 Howell Ave., Brooksville.
The committee will discuss the downtown festivities scheduled for Oct. 15 as well as the road race throughout the county on Oct. 16. Tim Molyneaux, race operator from Top View Sports, will be on hand to answer questions.
Refreshments will be available. The committee hopes to have representatives from all city, county and volunteer groups.
For information, call Laura DeWitt at (352) 585-3805.
ALZHEIMER'S CHARITY GOLF: The Alzheimer's Family Organization, which serves Hernando, Pasco, Citrus and other counties on the Suncoast, will have its 11th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Nov. 12 at Seven Springs Country Club in New Port Richey.
Registration is scheduled for 6:30 a.m.; breakfast will be provided by IHOP. The shotgun start is set for 8 a.m., with lunch provided by Argento's Italian Bistro at the conclusion of play. There will be 18 holes of golf, with a four-person scramble format.
There will be awards for the top three teams, as well additional prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and a hole-in-one (a car provided by Ed Morse Auto Plaza). Full Circle Financial is sponsoring a putting contest, with a chance to win $10,000.
The registration fee is $80 per player. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
For information, call Kathy Montero at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free 1-888-496-8004.
REALTORS GOLF OUTING: The Hernando County Association of Realtors is sponsoring a golf outing Sept. 17 at Seven Hills Golf Club in Spring Hill.
The event will include golf and chances to win money and other prizes. The entry fee is $40 per golfer. The cost includes a cart, greens fees, lunch and other activities.
For information, call Barbara Hahn at (352) 279-2279 or John Sullivan at (352) 428-1383. Interested parties can also stop by the Realtors office at 7321 Sunshine Grove Road, west of Brooksville.
KIWANIS GOLF: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will host the sixth annual Kiwanis of Spring Hill Children Charity Golf Invitational on Sept. 28.
Proceeds will benefit the First Tee of Brooksville. The First Tee organization strives to make a positive impact on the lives of young people through the game of golf.
Registration is scheduled for 11 a.m., when refreshments will be served. The shotgun start is set for 1 p.m., with a buffet dinner, awards ceremony and silent auction at the conclusion of play.
The registration fee is $110 per player or $400 per foursome. The deadline is Sept. 16.
For information, call Dennis McKenna at (352) 584-7023, ext. 25, or visit springhillkiwanis.org.
DISC GOLF CLUB LUAU: The Nature Coast Disc Golf Club will have a Labor Day Luau at Floral Park in Floral City from Sept. 2 to 4.
There will be a disc golf tournament for amateurs and pros, sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association (C-tier) — two rounds of 20 holes for all participants.
Limited to 100 players, there will be five divisions. The fees are $25 for juniors, $30 for recreational players, $35 for intermediate players, $40 for advanced, and $45 for professionals. Online registration is available at iregisteredonline.com.
Pairings will be drawn Sept. 2 after sign-ins; tee-off will be at 4 p.m. On Sept. 3, check-in will be at 8 a.m. with tee-off at 9:30 a.m. The festivities wrap up Sept. 4 with special events and the PDGA Super Class at 9:30 a.m.
For information, call Duane Laudermilch at (352) 263-4475 or send e-mail to naturecoastdiscgolfclub@hotmail.com
SPRING HILL DIXIE SOFTBALL: Spring Hill Dixie Softball will have registration for the fall season at Anderson Snow Park in the coming weeks.
League officials and volunteers will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 3 and from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 31. Player evaluations will be Sept. 6. Registration can also take place at that time for an additional $10 late fee.
The fee is $75 per player, ages 9 to 18. Ages 8 and under cost $65 unless the player is moving up from the Darlings division.
For information, call Glenn Primavera at (352) 442-1957 or send e-mail to gaprimo22@hotmail.com.
MEN'S SOFTBALL: The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department will begin a men's softball league the first week in September.
Registration is currently open to men ages 18 and up. The fee is $569 per team ($335 sponsor's fee and $234 players' fee) for a 14-game schedule.
Games will be played at Anderson Snow Park and Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill. All games are played on Friday nights starting at 6:30 p.m.
For information, call Harry Johnson at (352) 540-6356.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES GOLF: Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks will host the seventh annual Catholic Charities Golf Tournament on Oct. 28.
The event will benefit the building of the Arnold Andrews Northern Counties Service Center, which will serve the residents of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.
Registration is scheduled for 7 a.m., when coffee and doughnuts will be served. The shotgun start is set for 8 a.m., with a buffet lunch at the conclusion of play.
There will be prizes awarded for hole-in-ones, including a 2011 Buick-GMC courtesy of Rick Matthews, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle courtesy of Crystal River Harley-Davidson and a golf cart courtesy of Country Club Cars of Brooksville.
The registration fee is $60 per player. Sponsorship opportunities are available until Oct. 20.
For information, call Abby Evert at (352) 686-9897, ext. 25.
SENIOR SOFTBALL: The West Hernando Softball Club for Seniors League is looking for new members for the season that starts in September.
The league is open to players 55 and older. Games are played on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill.
For information, call Tony Passanesi at (352) 686-6812.
MORE SENIOR SOFTBALL: The Senior Softball Invitational League will start its season in September and is looking for new players.
The league meets at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill.
The fee is $60 for approximately 40 games, and a player must be 50 or older.
For information, call Sal Ficarra at (352) 688-1605.
UMPIRE CLINICS: The Hernando-Sumter Umpires Association's final baseball/softball umpires clinic will be Sunday at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill.
The clinics are designed to train anyone who wants to become an umpire, and the sessions also can help seasoned umpires improve. The sessions are open to men and women age 16 and older.
Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the clinic starting at 1 p.m. There is a $20 charge for each participant, and everyone will receive a Major League Baseball rule book, along with other handouts.
Visit hernandosumterumpire.com to register. For information, call (352) 593-6998 or send e-mail to clinics@hernandosumterumpire.com.
Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.
By Dave Zalewski, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
What's hot: The weather would come in first place with offshore fishing a close second. Spanish mackerel fishing has been as good as it gets for several weeks on all of the artificial reefs located 5 to 7 miles offshore. The baitfish on these reefs remains small, so use 0 and 00 spoons or small streamer flies pulled behind a No. 1 planer or small trolling sinker. Barracudas have finally made a strong appearance on these reefs. Blue runners are available and slow trolling one on a stinger rig often gets a strike.
Bottom fishing for red grouper, white grunts, mangrove snapper and triggerfish is exceptional in 70-90 feet. Target the transitional area where the sand bottom joins the swiss cheese limestone. Try frozen sardines, squid, cut grunts, pinfish and squirrelfish until the correct bait is determined.
Last week, we started with Spanish mackerel and barracuda on the artificial reefs, then traveled to the 75-foot depths west of John's Pass for bottom fishing. A stinger-rigged flat line with a frozen sardine produced a mid 20-pound kingfish. Shortly after that, Bud Hunt landed and released a sailfish after a 45-minute battle on spinning tackle.
Tip: Always deploy a flatline while bottom fishing.
Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.
Times wires
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Indians 7, Mariners 5
Game 1
CLEVELAND — Shin-Soo Choo's three-run homer in the ninth inning lifted the Indians in the first game of a doubleheader briefly shaken by an earthquake that hit the East Coast. Choo, back after missing one game for the birth of his daughter, hit the first pitch from Mariners closer Brandon League over the wall in left, helping the Indians end a four-game losing streak.
Times wires
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
NEW YORK — Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez was scratched Tuesday because of a sprained left thumb, an injury he sustained in his first game back from knee surgery.
The three-time AL MVP was set to bat fourth in the opener of a three-game series against the Athletics. But after cutting short batting practice, he decided his thumb was too sore. "It felt pretty painful," he said. "Hopefully it's just a day or two."
X-rays were negative, and the Yankees said Rodriguez was day to day.
Rodriguez hurt himself fielding a grounder Sunday at Minnesota, his first game since July 7. The AL East-leading Yankees were off Monday.
While disappointed with the thumb injury, Rodriguez was happy with his health.
"The good news is the knee feels great, body feels good. Hopefully just a bump in the road," he said. "The big picture is the most important thing."
Meanwhile, the slugger is scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball investigators Friday in Baltimore to discuss reports of his participation in illegal poker games.
More Yankees: RHP Mark Prior was scratched from his scheduled minor-league appearance in Tampa because of shoulder discomfort.
Hamels out: The Phillies placed All-Star LHP Cole Hamels (left shoulder inflammation) on the DL, retroactive to Aug. 13. Hamels can come off the DL on Sunday to start Monday at Cincinnati. Meanwhile, RH reliever Jose Contreras will have season-ending elbow surgery, and INF Pete Orr was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Angels: The team formally announced its five-year, $85 million deal with All-Star RHP Jered Weaver.
Cubs: All-Star SS Starlin Castro led off against the Braves after sitting out a game because he wasn't paying attention in the field as a pitch was thrown. TV cameras caught Castro, 21, kicking at the dirt then walking toward the outfield in the sixth inning of Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Cardinals.
Diamondbacks: RHP Jason Marquis went on the 60-day DL with a fractured right fibula. The veteran's shin was broken on a ball hit by Mets OF Angel Pagan on Aug. 14.
Indians: DH Travis Hafner might need season-ending surgery on his right foot. Hafner, placed on the 15-day DL on Monday, is wearing a walking boot after an MRI showed a strained tendon in the bottom of the foot.
Orioles: OF Felix Pie, hitting .220 in 85 games this season, was designated for assignment, and INF Jake Fox and OF Matt Angle were recalled.
Pirates: RHP Ross Ohlendorf and INF Pedro Ciriaco were recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, and LHP Joe Beimel was designated for assignment. … INF Steven Pearce went on the 15-day DL with a broken right index finger.
Twins: Justin Morneau returned as the DH against the Orioles after missing two games with a bone bruise in his right foot, and RHP Nick Blackburn has an entrapped nerve in his forearm and will be out for two weeks. … Top pitching prospect RH Kyle Gibson, who has a strained muscle and a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, will continue rehab.
Trades: The Diamondbacks sent 2B Kelly Johnson, hitting .209 with 132 strikeouts and 18 homers, to the Blue Jays for 2B Aaron Hill and INF John McDonald. … The Athletics traded 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and cash to the Rockies for a player to be named or cash.
Series adjusted: The Marlins and Reds scheduled a doubleheader for today in an attempt to complete their series before stormy weather associated with Hurricane Irene reaches South Florida.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — CF B.J. Upton made a pinch-hitting appearance Tuesday and could be back in the lineup tonight as the right shoulder strain that forced him from Monday's game turned out to not be serious.
Upton said an MRI exam Tuesday didn't show any damage. "I didn't think anything was going to show up anyway," he said.
Upton struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, fouling two balls off and swinging and missing twice.
"He's fine," manager Joe Maddon said before the game. "A little bit sore."
Upton, who was injured extending his arm during an eighth-inning play before running into the wall, said throwing "is going to be the biggest thing."
Friedman's future: Executive VP Andrew Friedman is a hot topic of conversation in Chicago as a potential top candidate for the Cubs GM job, but he isn't going to talk about the situation.
Friedman, who has been mentioned as a likely candidate in his hometown of Houston, declined comment on the speculation, as is his policy on all rumors regarding jobs, trades, waiver claims, etc.
Special effects: First pitch was delayed until 7:30 when all the lights above the field were knocked out at 6:55 by what the Rays said was a weather-related failure of a power transmission line to Tropicana Field from a substation. There was a partial outage Monday, but that game started on time. Tuesday's was the second game delayed this season due to issues with the lights; the July 18 game with the Yankees was delayed 18 minutes in the fifth inning.
Cobb's return: RHP Alex Cobb returned and said the complications that delayed last week's surgery to remove a blood clot and his top right rib — specifically a nasty bout with pancreatitis — were worse than the procedure. "Worst pain I've ever been in," he said.
A bad reaction to medication was believed to be the cause, and Cobb said it got so bad there was talk of removing his pancreas, but the Rays didn't like that idea, so he will be monitored. Otherwise, Cobb said the procedure by Dr. Gregory Pearl went well and he was told he'd be fully recovered in time for the start of the team's offseason throwing program.
"He said I shouldn't even notice that I had anything done," Cobb said. "I should have 100 percent strength, 100 percent mobility. They didn't touch the shoulder or arm in any way, so I should be 100 percent by January."
Slotting system: Maddon is trying to find ways to move OF Matt Joyce up in the order so he has more protection behind him, thinking that getting Joyce better pitches will help him hit better.
With Upton out Tuesday, Joyce hit fifth with Casey Kotchman sixth. "I think (Kotchman) has a better ability to work with less," Maddon said. "He's able to move the ball a little bit more than Matt, who needs something maybe specific. I thought maybe Kotch could get him a pitch."
Maddon hadn't decided how he would set it up when Upton returns because he doesn't want to radically alter the format others had become comfortable with.
Minor matters: Class A Bowling Green SS Derek Dietrich, a 2010 second-round pick, won Midwest League player of the week honors for the second time after hitting .333 with four homers. … Top prospect LHP Matt Moore worked six more shutout innings for Triple-A Durham, lowering his ERA to 0.89 while striking out six. … OF Mikie Mahtook, the second pick in this year's draft, tweeted that he will play in the Arizona Fall League; the full roster will be announced next week.
Miscellany: Maddon's no-batting practice routine is apparently already over as the Rays are planning to hit on the field today. … DH Victor Martinez returned to the Tigers lineup and promptly improved upon his .419 career average at Tropicana Field with a second-inning double.
Times wires
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pat Summitt struggled for several months with how to tell the women's basketball players at Tennessee, recruits and fans that she was having memory loss problems.
Finally, her son Tyler helped convince her to open up.
The Hall of Fame coach, 59, who has the most college basketball wins of all time, surprisingly said Tuesday she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia — the Alzheimer's type.
Step down after 37 seasons? Not a chance.
"I plan to continue to be your coach," she said in a statement.
Tennessee athletic director Joan Cronan said Summitt initially chalked up her memory problems during last season to side effects from medicine she was taking for rheumatoid arthritis. She forgot things at crucial points in games and struggled to keep track of meeting times. She grew so confused that on a few days she simply stayed home from work.
The coach consulted local doctors, who recommended a more extensive evaluation. In May, she went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where doctors performed tests.
Summitt's reaction was anger, then determination. According to Sally Jenkins, a Washington Post columnist and a close friend of Summitt, doctors at the Mayo Clinic advised the coach to retire immediately and she responded: "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
Summitt has spent 37 seasons at Tennessee and has 1,071 victories — a record for the men's or women's game — and eight national championships, with the most recent coming in the 2008 Final Four in Tampa.
Yet Summitt was unsure when to step forward until a student at Tennessee got her to talk about it.
Her 20-year-old son.
"Tyler has been so courageous in this," said Summitt's longtime associate head coach, Holly Warlick. "He encouraged her to come forward."
Tyler went to the Mayo Clinic with his mother. And he said her revelation is a life lesson for everyone.
"It seems like she teaches me something new every day, and she is currently giving me one of the best life lessons of all: to have the courage to be open, honest, and face the truth," he said.
Summitt's family and closest confidants have known about her condition since she first learned of it. Summitt revealed the news publicly to the Washington Post and Knoxville News Sentinel. She told the Vols on Tuesday afternoon in a team meeting.
Junior guard Taber Spani said the meeting was business-like, with Summitt calmly saying nothing would get in the way for their quest of a ninth national title this season.
Reaction to the news poured in from far and wide with rival coach Geno Auriemma of Connecticut saying in a statement from Italy, "There is no doubt in my mind that Pat will take on this challenge as she has all others during her Hall of Fame career — head on. I wish her all the best."
Florida coach Amanda Butler, a native of Tennessee, said: "To say that I was shocked or upset when I learned of Pat Summitt's condition is an understatement. … Pat is a powerful figure in Tennessee, but what she's done on a nation level to gain notoriety for the sport is amazing."
