By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Thursday, March 29, 2012

What's hot: Kingfish have been found at all depths this week. Anglers are enjoying one of the best spring mackerel runs in five years. An abundance of gag grouper has been found in all depths. Kingfish are settling over many of the same reefs grouper inhabit.

Wreck fishing: Amberjack near many wrecks in 80 feet have been surprisingly slower than normal. The springs and wrecks in deeper water are more productive. Hopefully, the new month brings more populations to shallower wrecks. Sometimes a simple change in weather or even a different moon phase prompts new migrations.

Cobia are due to arrive any day. Anglers fishing south of Egmont already have felt their presence on many offshore wrecks. Only scattered reports have filtered into our area, but that could change soon because cobia are always on the move during the spring, especially April. Most fish are large females. Scattered reports of sailfish have been coming in from many areas in 30-60 feet.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, March 29, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Sevin Layer isn't your average teenage athlete. He doesn't swing a bat or throw a football.

The 14-year-old Palm Harbor resident's sporting equipment of choice is a 12-gauge shotgun.

"This is just a lot of fun," said the junior member of the Skyway Trap and Skeet Club. "I can't think about anything else."

The freshman at Palm Harbor University High said he has no desire to hunt animals.

He kills only clay pigeons.

"He has really taken to it well," Bonnie Chamberlain, Layer's coach, said. "He has only been shooting for 18 months, and he has already earned medals at the Junior Olympics."

Layer and another top-ranked shooter, 10-year-old Gabe Shandles of Odessa, are among the dozens of local teens and tweens who are getting a jump on the Olympic sport.

"We have a regular program every Saturday morning from 10 to 12," Chamberlain said. "No experience is necessary."

Shooting was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896, though women didn't get a chance to compete until 1984.

The International Shooting Sport Federation holds its world championships every four years, alternating with the Olympics. The shooting sports are broken down into three categories: rifle, pistol and shotgun, the discipline taught at the Skyway Gun Club.

Aspiring shotgunners can train for the trap, skeet and double trap events. During competitions, shooters go from one station to the next, stopping at each to yell "pull," the signal for the clay targets to be launched.

In skeet, the shooting stations are set up in a semicircle with shooters advancing to each station. Chamberlain and her partner, Marvin Spinks, focus on safety and technique while requiring athletes to maintain and manage their equipment.

"We focus on discipline and responsibility," Chamberlain said. "We don't care if they leave here and never touch another shotgun. The experience will make them more self-sufficient and ready for the university or the business world."

Shooting sports help develop hand-eye coordination, which can give athletes an advantage in other sports, especially baseball.

"It is really up to the youngster," Chamberlain said. "They can put as little or as much time into it as they want.

"If they want to do it for fun, that is fine. But if they want to take it to the next level and compete, we can help them with that, too."

In U.S. competition, the trap house is 2.5 feet above ground level and contains one machine that throws targets 10 feet high and can travel approximately 50 yards. There are five shooting posts located 16-27 yards behind the machine, positioned in a semicircle.

The first shooter, or squad leader, always calls for the first target. The other shooters then take turns calling and shooting targets until each has shot five targets.

The 4-inch clay targets are released from a high house and a low house in a skeet completion. Competitors rotate through eight shooting stations. Each round has 25 targets.

Chamberlain believes one positive America's video game culture might have on the country's youth is making them better trap and skeet athletes.

"But that doesn't mean they should sit inside and watch TV," she said. "They need to get outdoors and use those skills on the range."

The Skyway Gun Club's youth program has joined with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association for a Shoot With the Legends fundraising event on Saturday. The USA Shooting and U.S. Clay Target Association-sanctioned program, dubbed the Gulf Coast Hot Shots, has already produced a number of local, state and national champions.

Future plans include building an Olympic-style bunker for trap training, a dedicated Olympic skeet field and an indoor physical, mental and vision training center that will include an electronic training simulator with video analysis.

To learn more, visit the Skyway Trap & Skeet Club at 3200 74th Ave. N, St. Petersburg or email Chamberlain at bonnie@chamberlainshootingschool.com.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, March 29, 2012

Making news

Beach visitors must be wary of sea turtles

If you head to a beach this spring, look out for nesting sea turtles, which lay their eggs through April.

These creatures have been around for more than 100 million years, and they are making a comeback thanks to conservation laws. But their survival remains threatened by human interference and development.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission asks visitors to keep their distance from turtles such as the leatherback, which has been seen in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties. A sea turtle digs a nest in the soft sand, depo­sits up to 100 eggs about the size of a pingpong ball, covers them with sand and heads back to the sea.

Eggs typically incubate for 45-60 days, and hatchlings emerge on beaches through the fall. People can help increase the hatchlings' odds for survival by turning off or shielding outdoor lights that face the water. Hatchlings can become disoriented by them and head away from the water, where they can fall prey to raccoons.

Loggerhead, green turtle and leatherback nest regularly along the state's shoreline. But two other species, the hawksbill and Kemp's ridley, occasionally visit. All five species are federally protected.

If you see a nest being tampered with, a sea turtle being harassed or an injured or dead turtle, call the FWC toll-free at 1-888-404-3922 or *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone. You also can text Tip@MyFWC.com.

For more information on sea turtles, go to myfwc.com/seaturtle.

Free fishing

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently announced four fishing days — all Saturdays — during which licenses won't be required: April 7 (freshwater), June 2 (saltwater), June 9 (freshwater) and Sept. 1 (saltwater).

Instead of providing one weekend for freshwater fishing and one for saltwater fishing like years past, the FWC spread out the days.

For more information, go to myfwc.com/license.

Solunar Chart

AM PM

minor major minor major

3/30 12:00 6:10 12:20 6:35

3/31 12:50 7:00 1:10 7:25

4/1 1:40 7:45 1:55 8:10

4/2 2:25 8:30 2:40 8:55

4/3 3:10 9:15 3:25 9:40

4/4 3:55 10:00 4:10 10:30

4/5 4:45 10:50 5:00 11:15

Send your news and notes to outdoors editor Terry Tomalin via email at ttomalin@tampabay.com or call (727) 893-8808.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 29, 2012

CLEARWATER — RHP Jeremy Hellickson talked seriously before Thursday's start against the Phillies, saying he would approach it like a regular-season game.

Then Hellickson backed it up with his best outing of the spring, allowing one run over six innings in a 2-1 loss at Bright House Field. In his previous start, he allowed 10 runs and 11 hits in three innings against the Twins.

"It's nice to go out there and pitch how you feel," Hellickson said. "My confidence wasn't shot at all, it's been a real rough last few starts, but I've been working on things. And it feels good to put up some zeroes and pitch like I know I can."

Hellickson had better command of his fastball in a 109-pitch outing. He attacked hitters like he would in a regular game, as opposed to working on stuff. He allowed seven hits, the biggest a solo homer by C Brian Schneider in the fifth. But Hellickson matched Phillies LHP Cole Hamels, and he got out of a two-on, no-out jam to end the sixth.

"I thought he did a great job actually," manager Joe Maddon said. "He really got into a groove throwing the fastball down with a good changeup coming off that, some nice curveballs, pitched out of some tough moments against some pretty good hitters, so I was really pleased with him."

Hellickson, whose ERA dropped from 15.30 to 10.13, said he must improve on his success with two strikes, but with one start left before the season opener, he feels he's ready. "I feel like I'm there," he said.

CENTER STAGE: OF Desmond Jennings looked — and felt — good in his return to the field Thursday, playing eight innings in center. Jennings, who was limited the past week with shoulder soreness, hit a double, stole a base and said he's 100 percent, ready to play on a regular basis.

"I can make whatever throw I have to," he said. "I'm good to go."

Also back: Reid Brignac entered the game at short in the sixth, his first big-league exhibition action since May 15, and was encouraged with how his foot responded, especially defensively. "Really had no issue today," he said of the plantar fascia injury to his right foot.

Maddon said Brignac is still competing with Sean Rodriguez for the starting shortstop job and could envision a platoon situation.

MEDICAL MATTERS: Reliever Fernando Rodney said X-rays of his right forearm showed no fracture, and he expects to resume throwing in a couple of days: "It's good. I'll be all right."

Rodney was hit flush on the right forearm by a line drive off the bat of Pittsburgh's Alex Presley in the ninth inning Wednesday. He said he didn't see the ball and was scared at the time, then relieved to find out it was only a bruise.

GAME DETAILS: The Rays lost on a bases-loaded walkoff single by Phillies INF Hector Luna. … 3B Evan Longoria hit a solo homer, his second of the spring. Elliot Johnson hit his fourth double.

MISCELLANY: DH Luke Scott went 1-for-3 with a double in a minor-league game in Port Charlotte. LHP J.P. Howell threw a scoreless inning in the same game. … RHP Wade Davis threw a bullpen session instead of appearing in a minor-league game. … Maddon said the decision on the extra outfielder could come down to the end of camp. … Maddon said with CF B.J. Upton still injured, OF Matt Joyce may play against more left-handers.

Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, March 29, 2012

TAMPA — Hard to blame the kid for being a little wide-eyed.

In his first home start for the Storm two weeks ago, quarterback Stephen Wasil trotted out onto the new turf at the Tampa Bay Times Forum and tried to soak it all in. Problem was, he had no frame of reference.

"I'd never played in front of a crowd like that," Wasil said of the 16,054 at the Storm's 50-47 win against Georgia. "It was just awesome."

And a little off-putting. Wasil, who played at tiny Division III Albion College (current enrollment is about 1,500) in Michigan, admitted that nerves got the best of him in the first half. Wasil was 13-of-28 for 155 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the first two quarters.

"It was pretty exciting, and I was just a little too jacked up," he said. "I needed to slow things down."

Wasil did just that in the second half, going 12-for-17 for 143 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. And playing a big part of Wasil's second-half transformation was the guy he beat out in training camp for the starting job — former USF star Matt Grothe.

"Matt was really the one who pulled me aside and told me I had more time than I thought I did," Wasil said. "I was just going at it too quick."

It has been quite a first few weeks in Tampa for Wasil, the incumbent starter in Kansas City heading into the season. After coming over in a trade from Kansas City for 2011 defensive lineman of the year Cliff Dukes less than two weeks before the start of training camp, Wasil was in unfamiliar territory and locked in an open quarterback competition.

"I knew of guys but didn't know anyone here," said Wasil, who turns 29 next month. "And I had no idea USF was that close to Tampa."

Then came the brief players strike on the AFL's opening night, a day before the Storm's first game in Chicago. Wasil and the team were in limbo waiting to hear from the players union, which called off the strike the morning of game day.

"(The strike) was a stressful situation, but we went to Chicago fully intending to play football," Wasil said. "Thankfully we didn't have to make a decision whether or not to play (or join the union in a strike) because I think we all wanted to just go out and play."

If all that wasn't enough, Wasil still didn't know who would start.

"Coach (Dave Ewart) didn't tell me until Saturday just before the game," Wasil said.

Ewart said it was a tough decision but Wasil's time in AF2 and last season with the Command gave him the edge.

"I think the experience he brings was the biggest thing," he said. "But we evaluate day to day. Everyone is accountable."

Wasil played well in the season-opening loss at Chicago and looked much more comfortable in the second half against Georgia. He said tonight's crowd against division rival and defending AFL champion Jacksonville will be much easier to deal with.

"I know what to expect now and how to deal with everything," he said. "I'm more than ready for (tonight)."

Notes: Tonight is Faith and Family night and will feature a postgame speech on the field from Tony Dungy and Storm president and former Bucs great Derrick Brooks. … Jacksonville is 4-0 all time against Tampa Bay.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 29, 2012

Move of the day

Rays manager Joe Maddon utilized a five-man infield in the ninth inning Thursday, with LF Matt Joyce coming out and DH Jeff Keppinger racing into the clubhouse to get his glove to play second. The Phillies had runners on first and third with one out, and Maddon figured it was a good time to practice it. He liked that everyone knew what to do, but it didn't work, as Hector Luna ripped an opposite-field single past the glove of diving 1B Carlos Peña. Quipped SS Reid Brignac: "We needed six (guys)."

Quote of the day

"I'm not saying much on those visits. He's out there, telling me what he wants ,and I'm there to listen and do it."

RHP Jeremy Hellickson, on the one-way conversations when veteran C Jose Molina visits him on the mound

Double take of the day

Desmond Jennings was thinking triple when he led off the sixth inning with a hit off the centerfield wall. But after making a big turn at second, Jennings had to turn around as he realized he missed the base. "I only ran about 88 feet, I missed the other two feet to hit the bag," Jennings said, smiling. "So I had to put the brakes on."

Number of the day

0-for-4 Rays performance with a runner on third base in Thursday's game, including three strikeouts. "That's something we've got to work on," manager Joe Maddon said.

Rays at Pirates

When/where: 1:05 today; McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W, Bradenton

Tickets: From $10-$22, available at stadium box office, pirates.com or by phone at 1-877-893-2827

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Pitchers: Rays — LHP Matt Moore, Burke Badenhop, Jake McGee; Pirates —RHP Brad Lincoln

Heads-up

LHP Matt Moore, slated in the fourth spot in the rotation, will make what's expected to be his longest start of the spring. Most of the regulars in the lineup will be on the trip.

On deck

Saturday: vs. Red Sox, 1:05 p.m. Rays — Jeff Niemann; Red Sox — TBD

Upcoming schedule

All games 1:05 unless noted

April

1: at Orioles

2: Twins*

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field

* Value game, $2 off

Who is this Ray?

He played 18 major-league seasons as an outfielder with six teams, including the A's and Angels, making the All-Star team four times. He's the longest tenured first-base coach in team history.

Who is this answer: George Hendrick

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 29, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — Back in the lineup Thursday after missing 18 games because of a fractured right hand, Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier said losing significant time to injury for a second straight season is "frustrating, for sure."

But it is even more so this season because his surgically repaired right shoulder finally is healthy. Lecavalier for the first time admitted what long was suspected: He had lingering effects from the April 2008 surgery to repair his severely dislocated shoulder and torn labrum.

"Oh, my God, they put it in there really tight," Lecavalier said of the shoulder being held in place by nine brackets. "They wanted to make sure it didn't come out again."

"For two years it felt like it was coming forward," he said, rolling the shoulder to demonstrate. "Even during the night I could feel it pushing forward. Not that it was hurting, but you lose flexibility in it. This is the first year it feels pretty good."

Lecavalier, 31, doesn't expect complications from the hand, broken by a shot Feb. 18 against the Capitals. And he said "it felt decent" after playing 17:38 against the Devils with one shot on goal and going 7-for-18 on faceoffs. "It will get stronger, but overall it felt pretty good," he said.

DEBUT: There was a weird scene with 5:23 left in the second period. It appeared G Dwayne Roloson, who had just let Marek Zidlicky's blue line shot elude him for a 4-3 New Jersey lead, was being pulled.

But as Roloson got to the bench and Sebastien Caron went in, coach Guy Boucher waved Roloson back into the game. The switch was a miscommunication, Boucher said; he was waving at RW Teddy Purcell to get on the ice. Caron believed the signal was for him.

Caron, signed March 19 out of Germany after Mathieu Garon's season-ending groin injury, finally made his debut 6:05 into the third, when Roloson really was pulled after allowing six goals on 34 shots.

"Really tight," Caron said of his first NHL game since April 2007 with the Ducks. "I started to figure out the pace a little; not a great situation."

"I think it went okay," he added after stopping four shots. "Guys are bigger. Everything is quicker. I tried to adjust to that."

ON THE WAY: The agent for newly signed F J.T. Brown said his client got a passport and flew to Tampa on Thursday, and GM Steve Yzerman said Brown will play Saturday against the Jets. Brown, 21, out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, needs the passport to play next week in Canada. Had it not been immediately obtained from a passport office in Chicago, Brown would have remained there until the process was completed.

ODDS AND ENDS: C Nate Thompson (upper body) seemed confident of playing Saturday. … The Lighting lost 39 of 57 faceoffs. … The last time the Devils scored four in a period was Jan. 9 against Tampa Bay, when they got five. … Tampa Bay has allowed six or more goals nine times. … The Lightning was without a road power-play goal for the first time in eight games. ... D Mike Commodore was the healthy scratch.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 29, 2012

PALM BEACH — Early in 1998, while coaching the AFC Central Division champion Jaguars, then-coach Tom Coughlin went looking for a defensive backs coach.

He learned of a young, low-level assistant on the Bears staff and decided the assistant was worthy of an interview, though Coughlin knew little about him.

That assistant was Greg Schiano, who later transformed Rutgers from downtrodden to prominent in college football and in January became the ninth coach in Bucs history.

As he rubbed shoulders with his new colleague at the NFL owners meetings this week, Coughlin — now a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach of the Giants — said what he learned about Schiano 14 years ago tells him the Bucs coach is qualified for this latest challenge.

"He was a real young guy (31) then," Coughlin said this week. "But I was really impressed."

Schiano's meticulous approach to coaching tells Coughlin his odds of success are good in his first NFL head-coaching job.

"He's a defensive coach, and I think he's very thorough, very analytical," Coughlin said. "I think he's a no-nonsense type of guy, and he's demonstrated outstanding leadership skills."

Those are sentiments shared by many. This week's owners meetings offered a chance to survey Schiano's peers and learn their views of the new guy on their block. Several themes were offered by nearly all the coaches interviewed. "Disciplinarian" was frequently used. "Structure" was a buzzword.

Though Schiano still must earn his stripes at the game's highest level, he seems to have the respect of his colleagues.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak crossed paths with Schiano when Rutgers played in the 2006 Texas Bowl and used the Texans' facilities to prepare for the game.

"I'm very impressed," Kubiak said. "His reputation in football is very structured, innovative, very motivated with his players."

Jets coach Rex Ryan, who works in close proximity to Rutgers in northern New Jersey, has a special appreciation for what Schiano did with the Scarlet Knights. He also likes Schiano's persona.

"He's an outstanding coach," Ryan said. "I thought he did a great job at Rutgers. He's a really organized guy, a passionate guy and a tough guy. He'll do good."

Mike Smith, coach of the rival Falcons, met Schiano this week.

"I don't know Coach Schiano, but I've always admired his football teams," Smith said. "At Rutgers, they've always been hard-nosed, football teams. … And the roster that he's putting together is a very strong roster."

Regardless of how well they know him, Schiano's counterparts respect that he has learned from some of the best (Joe Paterno, for one) and is wise enough to have assembled a staff of sharp football minds.

"I think that's the key for anybody," Kubiak said. "As a head coach, you get an opportunity because people think you have all the answers, but the bottom line is when it's time to get going, if you don't surround yourself with great people and let them do their job, you can't do it all. There's no way.

"So you surround yourself with good people, let them do their jobs and make sure everybody's going in the right direction. To me, that's how things work out. The good teams I've been around, the good organizations, that's the way they do it."

Said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis: "(Schiano's) success at Rutgers did not surprise me. He's been around fine coaches who have been successful."

Schiano might have been offered that Jaguars job had the Bears not seen in him what Coughlin also did. Chicago soon shuffled its staff and promoted Schiano to defensive backs coach. Based on the accounts from Schiano's contemporaries, now many more also are seeing the impressive qualities Coughlin saw 14 years ago.

Around the league

mcnabb jabs shanahan: If Washington drafts QB Robert Griffin III second overall next month, as expected, coach Mike Shanahan won't get the most out of last year's Heisman winner, former Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb says. "I say that because a lot of times ego gets too involved when it comes to being in Washington," McNabb said on ESPN2's First Take. McNabb played for Shanahan in 2010. The Redskins went 6-10, McNabb was benched twice, and there were testy exchanges between his agent and the team.

Revis: Jets in 'disarray': The Jets locker room is in "disarray right now," with the addition of Tim Tebow adding to the chaos, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis says. The Jets had major chemistry issues last year on their way to an 8-8 season. Coach Rex Ryan has said the problems have been solved. Revis disagrees. "It's going to be even more of a circus with (Tebow) in the locker room," Revis said on ESPN's SportsCenter. He said he wasn't questioning Tebow's ability. "It's just going to bring more to the locker room of every day: 'Does Mark (Sanchez) need to start? Does Tim need to start?' "

edwards rips saints: Former coach Herm Edwards says if the Saints replace coach Sean Payton with Payton's recommended successor, Bill Parcells, during his one-year Bounty­gate suspension, they will make a mockery of the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head-coaching jobs. "Sean Payton … really reflects that this thing is going to become a sham if Bill Parcells takes this job," Edwards said on ESPN. "Because if you do decide to interview a minority … you've already said, 'This is our coach.' "

rypien joins concussion suits: Add 1992 Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien to the growing list of ex-players suing the NFL because they believe more should have been done to inform them about concussions and more can be done to help them now. The former Redskins quarterback, 49, is among more than 120 players recently added to the dozens of lawsuits pending in Philadelphia federal court. Rypien said he has dealt with depression and has problems remembering simple things, including conversations with his girlfriend.

Packers: Former Seahawks defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, who has 19½ sacks in 102 regular-season games, agreed to a deal. No terms were released.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

TOKYO — With his first major-league home run, Yoenis Cespedes helped the Athletics gain a split of their regular-season opening series against the Mariners.

The Cuban defector's go-ahead, two-run drive in the seventh off reliever Shawn Kelly sent the A's to a 4-1 victory Thursday night at the Tokyo Dome.

"I wake up early every day and get to the field early and work hard because the baseball is different than in Cuba," Cespedes said through a translator.

Bartolo Colon won his Oakland debut, allowing three hits in eight innings.

Former Ray Jonny Gomes hit his first Oakland home run, and another former Ray, Grant Balfour, pitched a perfect ninth for the save.

Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 for the Mariners. He excited the crowd of 43,279 in the fifth with a leaping catch against the wall.

Both teams resume spring training games Saturday back in the United States. Other big-league teams start regular-season play April 4.

pavano threatened, police say: A high school classmate of Twins pitcher Carl Pavano threatened to reveal an alleged three-year homosexual relationship they had as teenagers and to write a book about it unless Pavano apologized to him and bought him a navy Range Rover sport utility vehicle with tan leather, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by police in Pavano's hometown of Southington, Conn.

Police said they began investigating the allegations after Pavano's sister, Michelle DeGennaro, complained in December that she had received Facebook messages from the classmate, Christian Bedard, a 36-year-old real estate agent. DeGennaro told police that Bedard lied about having a relationship with her brother, trying to extort her family.

Bedard, who hasn't been charged, denied attempting to extort money. He told the Associated Press he wanted an apology because of how Pavano treated him when they were teens. He said the SUV demand was a joke.

Pavano, who is married with two children, didn't comment.

cubs: Right-hander Randy Wells was among nine sent to the minors, meaning the rotation is set: former Ray Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija, Chris Volstad, Ryan Dempster, and Paul Maholm. Also sent down was left-hander Travis Wood, who was acquired in trade that sent reliever Sean Marshall to Cincinnati.

Giants: The team is committed to keeping All-Star right-hander Matt Cain, 27, beyond the upcoming season, and CEO and president Larry Baer said serious negotiations are ongoing.

indians: Chris Perez pitched a perfect inning in his spring debut. Out since February with a strained left oblique, he said he feels better than when he was an All-Star last year. Perez revealed for the first time that he hurt his arm last spring. "I guess the scouting report is to swing early on me," said Perez after needing only five pitches in the inning.

marlins: Anibal Sanchez, who has been limited by a right (throwing) sore shoulder, had a strong outing against the Cardinals to end questions about the rotation. He allowed a run in five innings, saying: "I feel great. I feel ready for long games."

pirates: James McDonald, scheduled to make his regular-season debut April 8 at home against Philadelphia, allowed 10 runs, seven hits and seven walks in 3⅔ innings against the Twins. "Other days, I've made those same pitches and gave up one run," he said.

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

FORT MYERS — Anthony Gose ran all over the Red Sox on Thursday, helping the Blue Jays to a 3-2 victory to extend their spring training winning streak to 10 games.

Gose led off the eighth with a walk off LHP Justin Thomas, then stole second, third and home for what turned out to be the winning run.

"I never saw anybody steal second, third and home in the same inning in my career," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "He is obviously exciting. He can take over on the basepaths. He has a combination of pure speed, plus the ability to read some things. You just turn him loose. He's a pure basestealer."

Gose, 21, drafted in 2008 by the Phillies, had four steals in the game and has seven during spring training. He has 194 steals in four minor-league seasons.

With one out in the sixth, Gose reached on an error by 3B Kevin Youkilis, stole second and went to third on an error by former Rays C Kelly Shoppach. Rajai Davis walked and stole second, and Eric Thames followed with a two-run single to right.

Yanks: Granderson back

TAMPA — The Yankees got good news about two injured outfielders.

Curtis Granderson went 1-for-4 in a 4-3 loss to the Orioles after missing two games because of right elbow soreness.

"Curtis was great," manager Joe Girardi said.

Granderson, the designated hitter, singled in the third. He might play centerfield tonight.

"I hope so," Granderson said. "Everything is good."

RF Nick Swisher, out with a groin injury, hit in a minor-league game for the second straight day. It hasn't been decided if Swisher will rejoin the team today.

Rotation candidate Ivan Nova pitched in a Triple-A game, giving up three runs and seven hits in 7⅓ innings.

If Phil Hughes fills one of three rotation openings as expected, Girardi hinted that he is leaning toward Nova. On Wednesday he talked up Freddy Garcia, meaning Michael Pineda looks like the odd man out.

Girardi is taking into account Nova's work last season (16-4, 3.70 ERA): "You can get caught up in judging people in spring training, and sometimes that judgment is not always true for what you'll see during the season.''

Garcia will pitch in the minors today, while Pineda goes against the Phillies tonight in Tampa.

Phils: Pierre sticks

CLEARWATER — The Phillies selected the contract of OF Juan Pierre from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He will be on the opening-day roster, getting an $800,000, one-year contract with the chance to earn $300,000 in bonuses.

Pierre, 34, went 2-for-2 against the Rays. He is a .296 hitter in 12 seasons with the White Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, Marlins and Rockies.

"He's started playing better over the last four or five games," manager Charlie Manuel said of Pierre (.313 in 23 games). "I look at where he could fit in some of the lineups, and he's done a little bit of everything."

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

Up next | Races on major circuits

Sprint Cup

What: Goody's Fast Relief 500

When/where: Today, practice (12:30-2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (11:30 a.m.); Sunday, race (Ch. 13, 1 p.m.); Martinsville, Va.

Fast facts: Tony Stewart won the October race at Martinsville. … Dale Earnhardt Jr. is winless in 134 races. … Jimmie Johnson has six Martinsville victories, winning five in a six-race stretch from 2006-09. … Richard Petty won a record 15 times at Martinsville, the only remaining venue from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season.

Standings: 1. Greg Biffle, 195; 2. Kevin Harvick, 188; 3. Earnhardt, 178; 4. Stewart, 177; 5. Martin Truex, 175; 6. Matt Kenseth, 173; 7. Denny Hamlin, 171; 8. Clint Bowyer, 157; 9. Johnson, 156; 10. Ryan Newman, 155

Trucks

What: Kroger 250

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 2 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 10 a.m.), race (Speed, 1:30 p.m.).

Fast facts: Kevin Harvick, the 2009 and 2010 winner in his own Kevin Harvick Inc. entry, is driving a Richard Childress Racing car. Zephyrhills' David Reutimann is the only other Sprint Cup points-eligible driver entered. … Jeb Burton, 19-year-old son of 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton, is attempting to make his first series start.

Standings: 1. John King, 47; 2. Timothy Peters, 42; 3. Justin Lofton, 41; 4. Jason White, 40; 5. Todd Bodine, 38

IndyCar

What: Grand Prix of Alabama

When/where: Today, practice; Saturday, practice, qualifying (NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.); Sunday, race (NBC Sports Network, 2 p.m.); Birmingham

Fast facts: Helio Castroneves won the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg last week, his first victory since September 2010. … Dario Franchitti, the three-time defending series champion, was 13th, and former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello was 17th in his first IndyCar start.

Standings: 1. Castroneves, 50; 2. Scott Dixon, 42; 3. Ryan Hunter-Reay, 35; 4. James Hinchcliffe, 32; 5. Ryan Briscoe, 30

NHRA

What: Summitracing.com Nationals

When/where: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 7 p.m.); Las Vegas

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Tony Schumacher, 283; 2. Morgan Lucas, 269. Funny Car — 1. Mike Neff, 280; 2. Robert Hight, 273. Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, 308; 2. Mike Edwards, 264. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Ed Krawiec, 150; 2. Andrew Hines, 101

Nationwide

Next: O'Reilly Auto Parts 300, April 13, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth

Standings: 1. Elliott Sadler, 214; 2. Ricky Stenhouse, 196; 3. Austin Dillon, 187; 4. Trevor Bayne, 180; 5. Sam Hornish, 160

Formula One

Next: Chinese Grand Prix, April 15, Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai

Standings: 1. Fernando Alonso, 35; 2. Lewis Hamilton, 30; 3. Jenson Button, 25; 4. Mark Webber, 24; 5. Sergio Perez, 22

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Amy Yang shot 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Lindsey Wright on Thursday in the opening round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Tour's first major of the year.

Yani Tseng was third at 68, ending the top-ranked player's streak of eight consecutive rounds with the lead. The five-time major champion has won two straight tournaments and three of five this season. Yang and Wright have not won on the tour.

Defending champ Stacy Lewis had four consecutive bogeys en route to 74. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome, the 2009 winner, shot 4-over 76, as did Tampa resident Kristy McPherson. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse shot 73.

Yang chipped in from the fringe for birdie on the 13th, highlighting a strong start at Mission Hills for the former teen sensation. Yang has five top-10 finishes in majors over the previous three years after winning on the European tour.

"Everything was working well," Yang said. "I think especially my putting was better than other tournaments.

"I had a couple of shots that went into the trees, and it was hard to play, but I had some good par saves and good birdie putts."

Tseng said she felt tired during practice rounds this week after driving from San Diego to Palm Springs following her victory in the Kia Classic in Carlsbad on Sunday.

Tseng bogeyed the eighth with a feeble chip out of the greenside rough but gathered herself for four birdies in the next six holes.

"I was really disappointed (Thursday)," Tseng said. "I don't hit many good shots, and I don't leave myself lots of birdie chances out there."

PGA: Angel Cabrera and Carl Pettersson took advantage of early tee times to beat the rain and share the early lead in the Houston Open at Humble, Texas. Cabrera and Pettersson shot 7-under 65 in calm morning conditions to set the pace before the first round was suspended because of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Fifty-one players completed play before the horn sounded. The storm dumped about 11/4 inches of rain, leaving shallow ponds on many fairways, tournament director Steve Timms said. The first round was scheduled to resume this morning. With the Masters next week, Timms hoped to finish the tournament by 5 p.m. Sunday to accommodate not only television but the players heading to Augusta.

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

WACO, Texas — Baylor coach Kim Mulkey announced she has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a form of facial paralysis, but it won't change the way she coaches in the Final Four.

"When I smile, it's crooked," Mulkey, 49, said Thursday. "And when I talk and talk loud, the hollowness in my hearing is weird. But it's not going to keep me from hollering."

Mulkey, whose team faces Stanford on Sunday, had an MRI exam Wednesday instead of attending practice. She said she grew concerned when she had a weird feeling in her mouth while eating, then saw in a mirror her left eye was drooping and her smile was crooked. She also had a strange feeling in her tongue during last weekend's games.

The diagnosis came after the MRI ruled out a tumor or stroke.

"I know that I will recover," Mulkey said. "It will take some time to recover, and it may get worse before it gets better."

Bell's palsy is caused by a dysfunction of the facial nerve that results in the inability to control facial muscles. It's believed to be caused by a virus and usually has an onset of partial or complete paralysis that occurs overnight.

Thursday's practice was closed to the media, but Mulkey could be heard shouting instructions.

"I don't have a severe case of it because I've seen the worst," she said. "I've seen people who have it where the face is totally drooping."

Mulkey said people should not think she's unhappy because she's not smiling: "I'm not smiling because I don't want people to see my crooked smile."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 29, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — Ryan Malone said he never had less fun scoring a hat trick.

"When you lose, you lose," the Lightning left wing said. "It doesn't matter."

And boy did Tampa Bay lose, 6-4 to the Devils on Thursday night at the Prudential Center, done in by a second period in which New Jersey had an 18-5 shot advantage and scored four times to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead.

"We weren't very smart with the puck," Malone said.

"We did a lot of turnovers," captain Vinny Lecavalier said.

To put it bluntly, coach Guy Boucher said, "We got what we deserved."

It was the second straight defeat for the Lightning (37-37-5), which is two points — either lost by Tampa Bay or gained by the Sabres — from being eliminated from the playoff race.

And it included another second-period meltdown.

In its past four second periods, the Lightning has been outshot 61-16 and outscored 9-3. In its past six games, it has been outshot 225-127, including 38-20 by New Jersey.

For Boucher, it is no mystery.

"We get away from what works," he said. "What works is the simple stuff. We get into the fancy stuff in the second period, and we turn it over. We stop shooting, we stick-handle through guys … and instead of playing deep in the other team's zone, we turn it over around the blue line, and it costs us momentum and goals, and we get fatigued because of it."

Much has been made of a Tampa Bay lineup depleted by injuries and trades, and with seven players who were this season in the minors. That is no excuse for not executing the plan, Boucher said.

"If the other team is better and we do the right things and they beat us, congratulations," he said. "But when we give it to them in the second period, it is unacceptable."

An offensive-zone giveaway by Steven Stamkos led to Dainius Zubrus' shorthanded goal. A defensive zone giveaway by Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman's inability to control a rebound also led to goals, as did Malone's inability to control a puck along the boards.

A rough outing by Dwayne Roloson did not help, and he was pulled 6:05 into the third after allowing six goals on 34 shots.

Malone said his fourth career hat trick wasn't that great, either. One goal came after the puck fell on his stick after hitting Stamkos in the rear end. Another deflected off the skate of a Devils defenseman as he passed cross-slot to Marty St. Louis.

"I'll take the bounces, don't get me wrong," Malone said. "It's just nothing to get too excited about."

First Period—1, TB, Malone 16 (Stamkos, Hedman), 19:16. Penalties—Hedman, TB (holding), 15:53.

Second Period—2, NJ, Zubrus 17 (Elias), 3:07 (sh). 3, TB, Malone 17 (Brewer), 4:40. 4, NJ, Josefson 2 (Carter, Clarkson), 6:54. 5, TB, Malone 18 (Hedman), 10:13. 6, NJ, Kovalchuk 33 (Henrique, Parise), 13:26. 7, NJ, Zidlicky 2 (Kovalchuk, Elias), 14:37 (pp). Penalties—Greene, NJ (delay of game), 2:15; Lee, TB (holding stick), 14:31.

Third Period—8, NJ, Ponikarovsky 13 (Salvador), 2:25. 9, NJ, Clarkson 29 (Ponikarovsky, Henrique), 6:05. 10, TB, Smith 2 (Wallace, Aulie), 19:51. Penalties—Clarkson, NJ (high-sticking), 9:33; Malone, TB (hooking), 10:21; Brewer, TB (holding), 11:40; Zidlicky, NJ (hooking), 12:34. Shots on Goal—TB 9-5-6—20. NJ 8-18-12—38. Power-play opportunities—TB 0 of 2; NJ 1 of 4. Goalies—TB, Roloson 11-16-2 (34 shots-28 saves), Caron (6:05 third, 4-4). NJ, Brodeur 28-21-4 (20-16).

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

Tennis

Overrule helps sharapova gain sony final

KEY BISCAYNE — Maria Sharapova won a disputed final point after an overrule by the umpire, edging Caroline Woz­niacki 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 Thursday to reach the final at the Sony Ericsson Open.

"Obviously you don't want it to end that way," said Sharapova, who plays No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska in Saturday's title match. Radwanska beat No. 7 Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-2.

Radwanska is 0-4 this year against top-ranked Victoria Azarenka and 25-0 against everyone else.

At 40-30, Sharapova's second serve was called long by the linesman for a double fault. Umpire Kader Nouni immediately reversed and ordered the point replayed. TV replays showed the overrule was correct.

Sharapova was awarded two serves, and a big first serve set up an overhead slam for the victory.

Wozniacki, angry about the overrule, declined to shake Nouni's hand and had words with him.

"It was a pretty crucial point," she said.

"It's obviously a tough situation to be in," Sharapova said, "because it's so close to the end of the match, and both of us had fought so hard for over two hours."

Sharapova never has won the tournament that, while she trained at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy as a youngster, she and her family would make the drive from Bradenton to watch.

"It was pretty much the only tournament I would come as a spectator," she said. "We came every year."

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic advanced to the men's semifinals, beating No. 5 David Ferrer 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). Tonight, Djokovic faces No. 21 Juan Monaco, who beat the last American, No. 8 Mardy Fish, 6-1, 6-3. No. 2 Rafael Nadal plays No. 4 Andy Murray in the other semifinal.

Swimming

Phelps a winner at odd Grand Prix

Michael Phelps won the 100 butterfly at the Indianapolis Grand Prix after finishing second in the 100 freestyle.

It was a strange night session at the IUPUI Natatorium.

Ryan Lochte, Phelps' biggest rival, failed to qualify for the final heat for both of his events — the 100 free and the 100 fly. The former Gator won both consolation heats with a season-best 49.46 seconds in the 100 free and a career-best 52.32 in the 100 fly.

Despite splitting his trunks at the start of the 100 free, Nathan Adrian held off Phelps to win in 48.62. Phelps was at 48.74.

Dana Vollmer dominated the women's events, winning the 100 free and 100 fly.

et cetera

figure skating: Olympic ice dance champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada won the world title in Nice, France, beating defending champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States 182.65 points to 178.62. Virtue and Moir took the free dance after finishing first in Wednesday's short dance. Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat of France won bronze. After the women's short program, the United States has dim medal prospects. Ashley Wagner is eighth, and Alissa Czisny 16th. Russia's Alena Leonova leads.

skiing: Tommy Ford capture the slalom title at the U.S. championships in Winter Park, Colo., with a combined time of 1 minute, 32.20 seconds.

Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, March 29, 2012

MIAMI — LeBron James and Chris Bosh each had 19 points and nine rebounds to help the Heat extend its home winning streak to 15 with a 106-85 victory over the Mavericks on Thursday.

Miami swept two games with Dallas, to whom it lost in last season's NBA Finals, including 105-94 in Dallas on Dec. 25. The win also ended a two-game skid.

"We just worked our habits," said James, who played with a dislocated left ring finger. "The best thing was we didn't take another step backward."

Dallas trailed 90-83 with 4:37 left after Dirk Nowitzki made four free throws in a 27-second span. But Dwyane Wade had a dunk and two assists during the ensuing 9-0 run that sealed it.

Nowitzki scored 25 but was just 1-of-9 in the second half.

"In the first half, everything came a little too easy for us," Nowitzki said. "Then they really picked up their pressure, and we didn't have many good looks."

Nelson to Hall: Don Nelson, whose 1,335 coaching wins are the most in league history, confirmed a report by CSNBayArea.com that he was told he was elected to the Hall of Fame. An official announcement is scheduled for Monday.

Nash to Heat? Suns guard Steve Nash, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, said he "would listen" if the Heat called. Nash, 38, who has never won an NBA title, said he's not guaranteed to re-sign. "I'm not coming back to the Suns if there isn't improvement," he said on the Dan Patrick Show. And if the Heat showed interest? "A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there," Nash said. "But they're professional. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them." Miami has little salary cap space, so Nash would have to sign at a reduced salary.

Around the league: Kobe Bryant plans to recruit forward Lamar Odom and guard Derek Fisher back to the Lakers, NBA.com reported. Odom was traded to Dallas before the season. Fisher was traded to Houston at the deadline, bought out and signed by Oklahoma City. The report did not say if the pair or the Lakers' front office would be interested. … Nuggets guard Rudy Fernandez had back surgery. The team hopes he can return for the playoffs.

Heat 106, Mavericks 85

DALLAS (85): Marion 2-7 0-0 4, Nowitzki 9-19 7-7 25, Mahinmi 3-6 0-1 6, Kidd 2-8 0-0 6, Carter 4-7 0-0 11, Terry 1-10 0-0 3, Odom 4-6 2-2 12, Beaubois 0-2 0-0 0, Wright 5-8 1-2 11, West 3-3 0-1 7, Cardinal 0-0 0-0 0, Yi 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 33-78 10-13 85.

MIAMI (106): James 8-16 3-3 19, Bosh 8-17 2-3 19, Anthony 0-0 4-4 4, Chalmers 4-11 2-2 12, Wade 5-11 6-9 16, Haslem 6-10 4-4 16, Battier 2-4 0-0 6, Turiaf 1-1 2-2 4, Cole 5-9 0-0 10, Howard 0-0 0-0 0, J.Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Pittman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 39-80 23-27 106.

Dallas 29 24 19 13— 85

Miami 24 36 20 26— 106

3-Point Goals—Dallas 9-24 (Carter 3-6, Odom 2-2, Kidd 2-8, West 1-1, Terry 1-5, Nowitzki 0-1, Beaubois 0-1), Miami 5-17 (Battier 2-4, Chalmers 2-9, Bosh 1-1, J.Jones 0-1, James 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Dallas 38 (Kidd, Nowitzki 6), Miami 55 (James, Bosh 9). Assists—Dallas 21 (Kidd, Terry 4), Miami 22 (Wade, James 5). Total Fouls—Dallas 19, Miami 17. Technicals—Dallas defensive three second, Miami defensive three second. A—20,096 (19,600).

Pacers 93, Wizards 89

WASHINGTON (89): Singleton 3-6 1-1 8, Booker 2-6 2-4 6, Nene 5-12 6-6 16, Wall 4-9 5-8 13, Crawford 8-20 1-2 20, Seraphin 4-8 0-0 8, Martin 4-7 0-2 10, Mason 1-5 0-0 3, Vesely 1-2 1-2 3, Mack 1-3 0-0 2, Cook 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-78 16-25 89.

INDIANA (93): Granger 8-15 6-6 25, West 6-12 2-2 14, Hibbert 3-9 3-3 9, Collison 1-6 2-2 5, George 3-10 1-2 7, Hill 4-7 5-5 14, Hansbrough 2-5 4-8 8, Amundson 1-3 0-0 2, Barbosa 2-7 0-2 4, Jones 1-5 2-2 5. Totals 31-79 25-32 93.

Washington 26 23 20 20— 89

Indiana 30 22 20 21— 93

3-Point Goals—Washington 7-22 (Crawford 3-10, Martin 2-4, Singleton 1-2, Mason 1-4, Wall 0-1, Mack 0-1), Indiana 6-16 (Granger 3-5, Jones 1-2, Hill 1-3, Collison 1-4, George 0-1, Barbosa 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Washington 58 (Nene 13), Indiana 51 (West 8). Assists—Washington 17 (Mack 4), Indiana 19 (Collison 7). Total Fouls—Washington 22, Indiana 23. A—11,505 (18,165).

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 30, 2012

The road to the NCAA Tournament Final Four is never easy, but Louisville sophomore center Gorgui Dieng can legitimately say he has come a long way to get this far.

A native of Kebemer, Senegal, Dieng's basketball career took off several years ago when he attended a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa where he was discovered. Dieng (pronounced Gor-gee jeng) eventually landed at Huntington Prep in Huntington, W.Va., in 2009. But to say that his early days living in the United States were difficult would be an understatement.

Although he speaks five languages, he was thousands of miles away from his homeland, unable to speak English, and struggling to adjust.

"It was awful," said Dieng, now 22. "The first week I stayed in my room. I couldn't speak to anybody because I couldn't say anything. I couldn't speak the language."

Louisville coach Rick Pitino and assistant Walter McCarty were visiting Huntington Prep to check out someone else when they discovered Dieng.

Pitino immediately saw potential in the 6-foot-11 player, who averaged 15.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 7.2 blocked shots in his senior season. Although he carried an extremely thin frame, Pitino knew he had a diamond in the rough.

"I saw Kim Bohuny from the NBA office. I knew her from my NBA days. She goes over there a lot," Pitino said. "I said Kim, can you get me any more Africans? Tell me where they are. I'll go over there. I don't care. Congo, Senegal, wherever it is, I'll go. I love Gorgui so much. Because we're not a humble society, athletes today. The Africans are so humble and so hungry. It's just so much fun coaching him because it's a throwback."

The throwback kid has stepped up big on the national stage during the Big East and NCAA Tournaments. He was named to the all-tournament teams in the Big East and NCAA West Region. He was outstanding in the Cardinals' win over No. 1 seed Michigan State in the region semifinal — tying a school and career record with seven blocked shots in a 57-44 win. His 124 blocks this season broke former Louisville star Pervis Ellison's record for a single season (Ellison had 102). He is averaging 9.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in 39 starts — with 11 double-doubles.

But Dieng may be facing his toughest challenge yet — going head-to-head with Kentucky star and potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick Anthony Davis — when the Cardinals and Wildcats meet Saturday in the NCAA national semifinals. In a December meeting between the schools, Dieng had just five points and five rebounds, while Davis had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Florida has faced both Dieng and Davis, who are comparable in some ways the Gators said.

"I think obviously Dieng in the back is tremendous," Gators coach Billy Donovan said. "Probably the only guy that we've played against that's been like that has been Anthony Davis, who is an incredible shot blocker. You have a great anchor in the back of (Louisville's) defense, which is great."

Dieng realizes he still has a long way to go, and today's battle with Davis is a key part of that growth. But he also recognizes just how far he has come. No matter what happens today, don't think for one moment he isn't relishing this opportunity to live "a dream come true" — with Pitino leading the way.

"A lot of kids back home want to have that chance I have today," Dieng said. "I came to this country into good hands. And this guy (Pitino), he always thinks like, how I can get this kid better? And he worked me so hard. My freshman year I was complaining a lot. I said he worked me so hard, I'm tired, my legs hurt. I thank him for that. He changed my whole mentality."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 30, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann will skip his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox due to a blister.

Niemann recently won the final spot in the rotation over Wade Davis, but isn't scheduled for his first regular-season start until April 11 or 12. At this point the Rays don't expect the blister — which is on his middle finger, to be an issue then.

The Rays will use the bullpen to work Saturday's game, with Kyle Farnsworth the likely starter. Wade Davis will see his first action out of the bullpen.

Also, manager Joe Maddon said RHP Fernando Rodney is still swollen and sore from being hit by a line drive on Wednesday and there is no date for his return to the mound but he should be ready to start the season.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 30, 2012

TAMPA

A Hillsborough County team represented the area in three of the last four flag football state championships, including back-to-back appearances in 2010 and 2011 by Alonso.

And they've come up just a little short each season.

"There is a lot of talent in this area," Plant City coach Larry Langston said. "It shows the level of commitment the players and coaches have around here."

With the season just about at the midway point, here's a look at some of the local teams that have a chance to again reach the finals in Tallahassee on May 4-5.

Alonso: The Ravens have been the linchpin in terms of area flag football of late, appearing in two straight state championships. Each time, Alonso has returned to Tampa without a title, and each game was lost by the narrowest of margins. Dr. Phillips beat Alonso 27-26 in overtime last year and the Ravens lost to Seminole Ridge 12-8 the season before.

"We've been right there," Alonso coach Matt Hernandez said. "But we lost a lot from last year's team."

Almost everyone, actually. Alonso graduated 13 players from last year's team, lost every offensive starter and four more on defense. Only four players returned from last year's varsity and one of those, Alisa Davis, tore her ACL playing soccer and can't play this season.

"We've had some growing pains," Hernandez said of the 2-1 Ravens. "But to be honest, we played Chamberlain pretty well. The girls have exceeded my expectations so far."

Alonso lost to Chamberlain, widely regarded as the area's top team, 21-6 before beating Wharton and Leto. Sophomore Madison Shelquist has looked good at quarterback with classmate Leah Marcus becoming her top target.

Plant City: Unlike Alonso, Plant City returns nearly the same team that won a pair of playoff games last season. The Raiders graduated just one player from the 2011 team and are off to a 3-0 start this year.

"We had more girls than ever before come out for tryouts and conditioning," Langston said. "We picked up some girls from the soccer team that won districts and that has really helped."

The Raiders have been a model of consistency, reaching the playoffs in all five seasons of play. Plant City is two seasons removed from a state semifinal loss and three from a defeat in the state title game. In their six seasons of play, the Raiders are a combined 62-7.

"There's a ton of good athletes out here in Plant City," Langston said.

Senior quarterback Katie Evans is a the key on offense and has a pair of talented options to throw to in Ali Grimmel (averaging two touchdowns a game) and Amy Booher.

"Amy just brings such great leadership out there," Langston said. "She's that "rah rah" type on the field."

The defensive is lead by speedster Shay Wright, the Raiders' top defensive rusher, and freshman Avery Brown is quickly turning heads.

"(Brown) is so versatile and I'm telling you she's a future quarterback," Langston said. "I think she has the potential to be every bit as good as (former QB Quet) Shaw and Evans."

Chamberlain: Most area coaches agree that this is the team to beat in the area.

"We've got a strong team," Chamberlain coach Norm Soash said. "But there are some other very good teams around here, too."

Chamberlain (4-0) is loaded with experience on both sides of the ball, led by four-year starting quarterback Andrea Aaron. Elena Madrazo, a three-year starter, is her top target.

"Most of these girls have been together for the last three years," Soash said.

East Bay: The Indians have been as good as any team around the past five season, winning district titles from 2008-10 while finishing runnersup in 2007 and 2011. The Indians and Plant City are the only two teams to win three district championships in the area.

East Bay (3-1) lost All-State players Liz Arp and Megan Loomis but return a good nucleus that should have the Indians right in the mix come playoff time.

"We lost quite a few girls from last year, but return our core group," coach Michael Cooper said.

Four-year starting quarterback Stephanie Williams and junior receiver Nicole Lock are a formidable pair. Lock broke school records for receptions, yards and touchdowns last season. Madeline Hornacek gives Williams a solid No. 2 option at wide out.

East Bay will also play in the Capital City Classic in Tallahassee on April 3. This will be the Indians' third trip to the tournament after a pair of third-place finishes.

"It's good for the girls to get out of the area and see what other teams have and where we stand," Cooper said. "It's a good measuring stick."

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 30, 2012

Now that Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber has officially signed his contract, we finally are able to learn its details.

Turns out, Barber signed a 1-year deal (we knew that much) for a base salary of $3 million. There do not appear to be any bonuses of any kind, meaning if Barber is on the roster at the start of the season, he'll be guaranteed to earn his full salary.

Barber played last season on a 1-year, $4 million deal. He agreed with general manager Mark Dominik last year to approach any remaining contracts on a year-to-year basis.