By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

It was back in the old days when the old coach was talking about an old formula.

Even then, it started with greatness.

At the time, Sam Wyche was the latest coach who was trying to mop up the mess that was the Tampa Bay Bucs. It was, you might say, a chore. The franchise was the Dysfunction Junction of the NFL, and the losing streak was harder to stop than a runaway train.

So it was that, one day, Wyche was talking about how many impact players it took for a franchise to turn it around.

"Seven," he said without hesitation. "Seven guys can change everything."

Granted, Wyche never found the right seven in his stay in Tampa Bay. But he had coached the Bengals to a Super Bowl, and he was part of Bill Walsh's staff in San Francisco.

The theory was this: Enough special players can affect the rest of the roster. They can turn an average player into a good one and a good one into a very good one and a wretched team into one worth talking about.

Which brings us to the latest measurement for the current Bucs.

How close are they to being good again?

These days, Wyche has changed his math somewhat. Now, he talks about five players. Of course, they have to be the right five.

"I may have changed the answer on you," Wyche says now. "I think you need five. You need a Pro Bowl-level quarterback, one who is smart and accurate. It helps if he has a rifle arm, but that doesn't do him any good if he isn't accurate.

"You need a go-to guy. That can be a receiver, a running back, even a tight end. You need a tackle to protect the quarterback's blind side. You need a pass-rushing end who affects the other team's blocking schemes. And you need a shutdown corner. Back then, I was probably thinking about a center. Maybe a safety. Maybe a great punter to get to seven.''

In other places, other NFL offices use other formulas, but the concept remains the same. Put together a core of excellence, surround that with a roster of better-than-average players, and it can carry a team for a long way.

So, you ask, just who are the seven players who have to be magnificent before the Bucs can matter again?

1. Josh Freeman

QUARTERBACK

No surprise here. These days, the Bucs' fortunes always start with Freeman. If he isn't significantly better, then his team won't be, either.

This time last year, no one doubted Freeman. But for Freeman, last season was all about backing up, making fewer plays and more mistakes. You could argue that it all wasn't Freeman's mistakes, but face it, you could say the same for Vinny Testaverde or Trent Dilfer.

For Freeman, his fourth season will say a lot about the direction of his team. His franchise, too.

One cause for hope? The Bucs play only one game against a team that finished last year in the top 10 in the defensive yardage rankings (the Eagles, who were eighth). There are nine games against defenses that ranked 20th or worse.

2. Vincent Jackson

WIDE RECEIVER

For all of the deserved criticism of Freeman last year, it wasn't like a lot of receivers were streaking open downfield.

Jackson should change that. He's a big, tough receiver who has caught passes for more than 1,000 yards in three of the past four seasons in San Diego. He's going to change the way opponents cover the Bucs, which should create a lot of openings for teammates, too.

3. Adrian Clayborn

DEFENSIVE END

Glance at the schedule and what you see are quarterbacks. Cam Newton (twice). Drew Brees (twice). Matt Ryan (twice). Also Peyton Manning and Tony Romo and Philip Rivers and Michael Vick and Sam Bradford and Robert Griffin III.

Ask yourself: Who is going to put heat on those guys? The answer starts with Clayborn, a high-effort guy coming off a good rookie season. It doesn't help that Da'Quan Bowers was injured.

4. Gerald McCoy

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Going into his third year, McCoy still has to prove he can be an impact player. That said, the run defense certainly was better before he was injured (again) last season.

Here's something to remember: In the best days of the Bucs defense, Simeon Rice flourished largely because he played next to Warren Sapp. The Bucs would like for a similar partnership from McCoy and Clayborn.

First, McCoy has to prove he can withstand injury.

5. Mark Barron

SAFETY

Even as a rookie, Barron should make the Bucs a tougher team. The first-round pick should also make them better tacklers. That's why they preferred taking him in the draft to LSU corner Morris Claiborne.

6. Donald Penn

TACKLE

Certainly, you could argue Carl Nicks, the powerful free agent guard signed by the Bucs, is the most crucial element of the offensive line. The Bucs obviously need for Nicks to be worth his contract.

On the other hand, left tackle remains the most important position on the offensive line. Consider this: Four players in the NFL last year had 16½ sacks or more; the Bucs play against all of them. In all, the Bucs play against 13 of the 25 players in the league who had nine sacks or more.

In other words, Penn has to keep the pain away from Freeman.

7. Aqib Talib

CORNERBACK

I know, I know. Right now, it's still up in the air if Talib will be here. He goes to trial in late June, and he may go to the commissioner's office shortly afterward.

That said, the Bucs could use all of the coverage skills they can get. For instance, they play against eight receivers who caught 80 or more passes, and 14 who caught passes for 900 or more yards.

If Talib is here, he better be good.

There are others. Between rookie Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount, the Bucs need to be very good at running back. They could use a young linebacker — Mason Foster or Lavonte David — to be a player. If he's a safety or a cornerback, the Bucs need Ronde Barber to be as big a deal as ever. The new coaching staff needs to mesh quickly.

It starts with seven, as in days of the week, as in blocks of granite, as in wonders of the world.

Put it another way: The closer the Bucs get to seven players, the more likely they are to win more than seven games.

3

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Springstead High School cheerleading squad will host the Little Eagles Cheer Camp on June 8 to 9.

The camp is open to students in kindergarten through Grade 5 and will be at the Springstead gymnasium, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

The clinic for kindergarten through Grade 2 will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day; the clinic for grades 3 to 5 will be from noon to 3 p.m.

The entry fee is $35 per student, which will include a T-shirt and pom-poms. Each cheerleader will learn the basic skills of the sport, including motions, jumps, dancing and simple stunts. There will be a performance for friends and family when the camp members are picked up on the final day.

For information or to register, contact Springstead coach Heather Olejniczak at (352) 232-1169 or hmbumet@mail.usf.edu.

YOUTH TENNIS CAMP: Junior Circuit Tennis will hold camps this summer for players age 10 and younger.

Three U.S. Tennis Association-certified professionals will be on hand to teach fundamentals with courts, racquets and balls scaled down to fit the kids. There are also new rules and slower, lower-bouncing balls.

The instructors will be Judy Jeanette from Glen Lakes Country Club, Lou Giglio from Southern Hills Plantation Club and Rick Scholl from Sugarmill Woods.

The program will include six meeting times. Each class will meet on Monday evening starting at 6 p.m., then split into a 7-and-under group and an 8-to-10 group. The fee for each player is $85 if prepaid, or $15 per session.

On June 11 and 18, participants will meet at the Sugarmill Woods/Oak Village Tennis Complex in Homosassa. On June 25 and July 16, the site will be Southern Hills in Brooksville, and July 23 and Aug. 6 participants will gather at Glen Lakes, north of Weeki Wachee. A tournament will be held Aug. 13 at Sugarmill Woods.

For information or to register, call Jeanette at (352) 232-0322 or become a friend of Junior Circuit Tennis on Facebook.

WEST HERNANDO COUGARS: The West Hernando Cougars youth football and cheerleading program will have registration for the coming season every weekend in June.

Officials will be at Delta Woods Park on Deltona Boulevard in Spring Hill for sign-ups from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 9, 16 and 30. Coaches and officials will also be on hand this Saturday and June 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for mini-camps.

Mini-camps will be free to those youths that have paid in full for the upcoming season. Otherwise, the fee for the camp is $10 per player.

The registration fee for football or cheerleading is $195 per child. The fee includes full football uniform with a personalized jersey to keep or cheerleading top, skirt, bloomers, and shoes. Divisions are open to ages 5 to 15.

For information, call Bobby McFarland at (352) 585-6524 or visit West Hernando Cougars Football and Cheerleading on Facebook.

BATTERED MUG GOLF FUNDRAISER: The Battered Mug Saloon will host a golf tournament fundraiser June 23 at Seven Hills Golf Club in Spring Hill. Proceeds will benefit the family of Isaac Wetherington of Brooksville, who died last month. The 18-month-old was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect.

There will be a shotgun start at 8 a.m. for a cost of $45 per golfer, which includes lunch at the Battered Mug, 2109 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. The deadline for registration is June 15.

For information or to register, call Kelley Rose at (352) 688-4077 or (352) 835-1320.

YOUTH SOFTBALL CLINICS: The Spring Hill Sting travel softball team is hosting a series of clinics for youth this summer, with proceeds benefiting the club.

The clinics are being organized to teach and emphasize the basics of the game. The girls will be divided by Dixie Softball age divisions (Sweeties, Darlings, Angels and Ponytails).

Sting coach Dianne McClellan will lead the instruction, with assistance from members of the Sting. Three camp dates are June 13 to 15, July 11 to 13 and Aug. 1 to 3. The registration fee is $25 per player.

For information, contact McClellan at (352) 442-3047 or dmcclellan105@tampabay.rr.com.

NATURE COAST BASKETBALL CAMP: Nature Coast Technical High School girls basketball coach Emily Gore will host the program's first summer youth basketball camp in the Nature Coast gymnasium from 2 to 5:30 p.m. June 12 to 14.

Registration will begin at 1:45 p.m. June 12. The fee is $50 per player, which includes a T-shirt. Early registration is preferred and guarantees the correct shirt size. The camp is open to children from age 6 to those entering seventh grade. Pizza and Powerade will be sold for $1 each night.

Several members of the Nature Coast basketball team and assistant Lori Cleary will help with the camp. The goal is to help each player have a fun experience while learning basketball skills, game situations and rules. Forms will be available in the school's front office.

For information, contact Gore at (352) 535-5091; (352) 797-7088, ext. 228; emgore35@gmail.com, or gore_e@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

NATURE COAST VOLLEYBALL CAMP: Nature Coast Technical High School volleyball coach Emily Gore will host the program's second annual summer youth volleyball camp in the Nature Coast gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 to 13.

Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. June 11. The fee is $60 per player, which includes a T-shirt. Early registration is preferred and guarantees the correct shirt size. The camp is open to children from age 6 to those entering seventh grade. Pizza and Powerade will be sold for $1 each, or participants can bring their lunch.

Several members of the Nature Coast volleyball team will assist with the camp. The goal is to help each player have a fun experience while learning volleyball skills, game situations and rules. Forms will be available in the school's front office.

For information, contact Gore at (352) 535-5091; (352) 797-7088, ext. 228; emgore35@gmail.com, or gore_e@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

JEROME BROWN GOLF CLASSIC: The Jerome Brown Golf Classic, sponsored by Bright House Networks, will take place Saturday at World Woods Golf Course, north of Brooksville.

The entry fee for the tournament is $70 per player or $280 per foursome, which includes golf, cart, lunch and a cap. Registration will be at 11:30 a.m., with lunch served at noon. The shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.

Proceeds go to the Jerome Brown Youth Foundation. Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams.

For information, call Dianna Rusk Yoder at (352) 796-2526.

FIRST TEE SUMMER PROGRAM: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department will begin a First Tee golf program the week of June 11 at the Quarry Golf Course in Brooksville.

First Tee focuses on golf and life skills instruction. The juniors program strives to instill in participants the organization's nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The cost is $60 per child per week, with ages 9 to 17 eligible. Classes will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day, Monday through Friday. Students are encouraged to bring a bottle of water with them.

Donations are welcome, including youth golf clubs, bags and balls. For information, contact Miles Groff at (352) 540-3835 or mgroff@cityofbrooksville.us.

HYL FOOTBALL: Registration for the Hernando Youth League football season will be June 9 at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville.

Officials will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon registering players. The cost is $128 per player, which includes a $3 county park usage fee. Payment may be made with cash, money order, debit card or credit card. All players must be present at registration so they can be fitted for equipment.

Space is limited, so participants are urged to sign up early. For forms and information, visit leaguelineup.com/hylfootball online.

For other information, call (352) 346-0000.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays 2B/RF Ben Zobrist said it was "painfully obvious" that White Sox LHP Jose Quintana threw at him in the fourth inning Wednesday, which led to Quintana's ejection and both dugouts being warned.

"It was 2 feet behind me," Zobrist said. "I was just smirking, like, 'You think pitchers can hit their spots, they miss by quite a bit sometimes.' "

Zobrist believed it had something to do with White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski getting hit on the shoulder by RHP Alex Cobb the previous inning. Zobrist had taken issue with Pierzynski for his slide into second base in Tuesday's game, when he said the veteran catcher clipped him in the left ankle with his cleat trying to break up a double play.

"I didn't think there was a play at first base and I was on the very back of the bag and he went out of his way to come take his cleat on my ankle," Zobrist said. "I just let him know I didn't think it was necessary."

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he didn't direct any of his players to retaliate Wednesday, and Cobb said his plunking of Pierzynski wasn't on purpose.

"I was just trying to go fastball in and yanked it a little bit," Cobb said.

Quipped Pierzynski: "Pretty standard 0-0 pitch."

Then again, Quintana also said he didn't have any intent with his wild pitch behind Zobrist. Quintana said Pierzynski made a late call for a changeup when he was ready to throw a fastball, and instead of crossing up his catcher, he threw it and "it slipped out."

Said Pierzynski: "I set up away, and he threw it in; I don't know."

Quintana said he was surprised when he was ejected by plate umpire Mark Wegner, and White Sox manager Robin Ventura and Pierzynski argued the call.

"I've never seen anything like it," Ventura said. "I was shocked. Usually if a guy feels it's intent, it's a warning and it goes from there. And we just agreed to disagree."

Zobrist and Maddon believe Wegner did a great job of handling the situation, keeping it from escalating.

Said Maddon: "When a pitcher throws behind you like that it's pretty obvious what their intent was, regardless of the denials on the other side."

ON THE MEND: OF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain) will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte today and Triple-A Durham on Friday. He hopes to rejoin the Rays on Tuesday in New York.

Jennings, who has missed 18 games, passed his final test Wednesday morning, running the bases and sliding in a pregame workout. He said he felt good, with no problems, and has been pushing himself to his top speed.

"I need to get in a little shape, but I feel I'm ready," Jennings said. "It's been the longest two, three weeks that I've had. Just going to play somewhere is going to be a relief for me."

PITCHING IN: Though Cobb picked up his first loss in three starts since getting called up, he said he felt he had "good stuff" in a five-inning outing.

Cobb allowed a career-high nine hits and as many runs (four) as his previous two starts combined. But he was encouraged he kept the ball on the ground.

"I was hitting all my spots, my offspeed spot was good, they're just a hot team right now," Cobb said. "They found some holes, and they hit some balls hard."

Maddon said Cobb, pulled after 91 pitches, would have lasted longer had the Rays made more plays on defense. "I didn't think he pitched badly at all," Maddon said.

MOLINA MAGNET: C Jose Molina took a foul tip off his quad, and another off his left arm in one Pierzynski at-bat in the seventh, but stayed in the game. "He's just a ball magnet, he really is," Maddon said. "He gets hit with foul tips as much as any catcher I've ever been around. It's awkward, it's strange, why does it happen? I have no clue, but he does."

By Larry Blue, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

What's hot: Red snapper is the hot topic around the docks. Friday, anglers will be able to legally keep those caught in the gulf. There is almost a sense of urgency because the season lasts only 40 days, closing July 10. The limit is two per day per person with a minimum of 16 inches. Typically, the best snapper fishing areas are more than 25 miles offshore. Anglers are hoping for favorable weather and sea conditions for opening day.

A closer look: Red snapper have made quite an emergence over the past few years. Fifteen years ago, they were almost unheard of in the bay area and then only as a recreational bycatch. But since the completion of the 473-mile Tampa to Mobile Bay underwater gas pipeline in the gulf, red snapper have almost overrun the bottom, displacing even big grouper. The competition for food is fierce between the species. Some fishermen get frustrated with snapper while fishing for grouper, especially when red snapper is closed for harvest. Friday, we hope the snapper bite as well as they do when the season is closed.

Larry Blue charters the Niki Joe from Madeira Beach Marina. Call (727) 871-1058 or visit CaptainLarryBlue.com.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Coach Jon Cooper said he will wait until after the season before evaluating what the Norfolk Admirals have accomplished.

He already knows one thing: "If we somehow can pull off this series win, this team would be put at the top of all teams that played in the minors (this season)."

A wide statement, for sure. But as the Lightning's AHL affiliate prepares to face the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' affiliate, in the Calder Cup final starting Friday, it is not hyperbole. The Admirals are on a 39-3 roll — 11-3 in the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 28-game winning streak, the longest for a pro hockey team in North America.

"A 28-game win streak in any league separates yourself," Cooper said, "and you have something unique."

And with that, said Whit Bacon, a historian from the Springfield (Mass.) Hockey Heritage Society, if Norfolk wins the Cup, it "easily" could be considered one of the top three teams in AHL history, with 2009-10 Hershey and 1960-61 Springfield.

It sometimes is difficult to pinpoint why a team clicks. That said, Admirals general manager Julien BriseBois has a list that includes young players who progressed quicker than expected, veterans who acted as mentors and "great coaching."

"But the catalyst for the success we've had is that everyone there is high character," BriseBois said. "High character over-achieves and rarely disappoints."

"When you have a group like that, it becomes very easy to put the cause ahead of the individual. Everyone is paying the price for the good of the team, always."

"I totally agree with that," center Tyler Johnson said. "We have a good understanding that with team success, individual success follows. That's huge. We have a ton of respect for one another. Every night you're laying it on the line for the guy next to you."

Norfolk's playoff push includes a four-game semifinal sweep of St. John's, which it shut out twice and outscored 14-2. Game plans, Cooper said, are about "executing at a high level," so opponents must adjust. Said Bacon, "It's a blue-collar team. A different guy steps up every night."

Goalie Dustin Tokarski has played 10 of 14 playoff games with a 1.65 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. Left wing Alex Picard has team bests of eight goals and 15 points. Center Trevor Smith has 13 points with a team-high nine assists.

Center Alex Killorn, after his season at Harvard, chipped in three goals and 11 points. Wing Cory Conacher, the AHL's top rookie, has a goal and nine points.

"There's a synergy in the group," Cooper said. "When one pulls one way, everyone goes with him. It's really fun to watch."

As was winning 28 straight.

"I don't think we'll see a team match that in our lifetime," Cooper said. "It's something we really have to be proud of."

Whether they beat the Marlies or not.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Hours after most coaches have called it a night, Ken Eriksen remains in his office, poring over video of opponents, trying to find that pitch they can't hit, that tiny defensive weakness. The video is muted, but USF's softball coach hardly sits in silence.

"(The assistant coaches) will tell you, 'What is he listening to now? Is that Led Zeppelin? What is that going on up there?' " Eriksen said.

"The music goes on. And I'm watching, and I'm rocking. What better way to get your senses going? Zeppelin's on the playlist. Johnny Cougar's on the playlist; Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. We've got it all. You go through all the genres there are. As long as it's music and as long as it's got a beat, I'm pretty good with it."

When the music stops, Eriksen has a plan. It's a formula that has helped USF reach the pinnacle of its sport, the College World Series in Oklahoma City, where it opens play at 1 p.m. today against Oklahoma. Eriksen admits there is a craziness to his methodology, but it's hard to argue with his results.

"My wife calls me the idiot savant of softball," said Eriksen, 51, in his 16th season as Bulls coach. "I don't know if that's a compliment. I don't even know if she said savant."

Watch a USF softball game and you'll see an intricate exploitation of the nooks and crannies of the NCAA rule book, dizzying even when Eriksen explains it. In Saturday's Game 2 of the Super Region against Hofstra, facing elimination, Eriksen brought star pitcher Sara Nevins into the game in such a way that allowed for unlimited toggling between her and Lindsey Richardson, using the lefty and righty, respectively, as situations dictated.

In doing so, he had to keep Nevins in the batting order even though she struck out on three pitches on both of her previous at-bats of the season.

His rationale was that the No. 1 priority was keeping Hofstra scoreless, even if it meant rally-killing outs for his offense. (Nevins struck out twice.)

The move paid off as USF won 2-1 in nine innings, then won the deciding Game 3, also 2-1.

"He's almost on the verge of being obsessive. He thinks about it all the time," said assistant Stacy Heintz, who has coached with Eriksen for 13 seasons. "He's not afraid to text me very late: 'I thought of this!' He's constantly trying to think of ways we can get better. He knows the rule book better than any person I know. He is the rule book."

Eriksen came to USF as a baseball player. He was part of the first team to make the NCAA regions, in 1982 coached by Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts. After graduating, he played fastpitch softball for seven years with the Clearwater Bombers and found his niche coaching the sport, taking over USF in 1997.

USF baseball coach Lelo Prado has known Eriksen since he played at the University of Tampa while Eriksen played at USF, regularly meeting in fall exhibitions. The two have remained friends, and Prado said Eriksen ducks into his dugout during games "to relax."

"We pick each other's brains. I'll ask him, 'Hey, why do you play the third baseman on the line like that?' And he'll explain it," Prado said. "We spend a lot of time talking about players, about how to motivate kids. He's never afraid to try something. He's done an incredible job."

Eriksen's success has carried him far beyond USF. He was an assistant for the U.S. gold-medal team at the 2004 Olympics, and he is its head coach this year (though softball no longer is an Olympic sport). He has won 694 games with the Bulls, and this year marked his ninth trip to NCAA regions.

He has made regular trips to the World Series as part of the NCAA rules and All-America committees, but this week is his arrival as a participant.

This is, arguably, already the greatest achievement of any team in USF's athletic history. And Eriksen is excited, even as an underdog opening against Oklahoma, playing in its seventh World Series a half-hour from campus with a lineup the USF coach compares to the '27 Yankees.

"It's been a whirlwind. But at the same time it's a great situation for the kids on our team to be experiencing the elation of representing the university in a national championship," Eriksen said. "There are 312 teams sitting home, and we're one of eight still going. The underdog role is there, but there are also seven teams that have to beat us."

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com. Follow his coverage at bulls.tampabay.com

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Royals 6, Indians 3

CLEVELAND — Bruce Chen overcame a three-run second inning and the Royals, who are off today, finish May 15-13, their first winning mark in the month since 2000. The Royals, who went 5-4 on this trip, scored their first five runs with two outs. "They keep getting after it even with nobody on and two outs," manager Ned Yost said. "That's a good sign."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

DESTIN — If there had been a four-team football playoff five years ago similar to the one being proposed now, Georgia might have had a shot at the national title.

The Bulldogs won their final six regular-season games to finish 10-2. But they had to settle for a Sugar Bowl berth, where they beat Hawaii 41-10. LSU beat Tennessee in the SEC title game then Ohio State in the BCS title game.

"We might have got in that four-game scenario in 2007," coach Mark Richt said Wednesday during the SEC's spring meetings.

Last season, Alabama lost to LSU in the regular season then beat it to win the BCS title — without a league or even division title.

Those are two examples of why support from SEC coaches for a playoff is strong. But one area the conference likely won't compromise on is only conference champions being eligible.

"The reason we're even doing the top four is because the fans and the people who are interested in college football are interested in seeing the best four teams play in a playoff," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "So now we're going to mess that up by saying you've got to be a conference champion?

"I think somebody's a little self-absorbed and how it affects them and how they can best get somebody in the game all the time rather than getting the best four teams. I don't think that's fair to the fans and the people who really have made it known they really want to see the best four teams play in a playoff."

Ultimately, creating a playoff might hinge on the issue of it being exclusive to conference champions.

Coaches from the Pac-12 this month said they heavily favor it being restricted to conference champions. Other leagues that have struggled to get representation in the title game in recent seasons, the ACC, Big East and Big Ten, agree with the Pac-12. The Big 12 agrees with the SEC.

Wednesday, SEC coaches gave their stamp of approval for a four-team playoff.

"'I've been an advocate the last six or seven years," Missouri's Gary Pinkel said. "I think we've got it so much more right in college football. Every single game is so critically important in college football, and we should embrace that. You can win six games in basketball and win the national championship. You can't do that in college football. So I think we're very close (to the right formula)."

Commissioner Mike Slive said the SEC is expected to make its official stand on the issue Friday, when the meetings conclude.

"I think our league has been consistent with the idea that if you are going to have a four-team playoff, the best four teams ought to be selected to play for the national championship," Slive said. "If the issue is how teams are selected, then let's go and talk about the selection process and figure out a way to have the selection process more palatable to everybody rather than gerrymander who the top four teams are."

Slive and the SEC coaches said they are open to discussion on specifics such as if the teams will be chosen by poll or committee. But most insist the current bowl system must remain intact.

"I think we need to get the best four teams in the country." Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "If that's where we're headed, that's fine. But I want to keep the bowl system in place. I think that's very important for the student-athlete to have that great experience of going to a bowl game and having those four or five days at a nice place, a nice city, and go play that extra game."

Men's basketball: Coaches agreed to a one-division 18-game plan that likely will be approved Friday. Teams would play everyone once and four teams, on a rotating basis, twice. The final game will be a second one against a designated rival: Florida-Kentucky, Tennessee-Vanderbilt, Georgia-South Carolina, Alabama-Auburn, Mississippi-Mississippi State, Arkansas-Missouri and LSU-Texas A&M.

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

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Cubs 8, Padres 6

CHICAGO — Darwin Barney hit a two-run homer in the ninth as the Cubs completed a three-game sweep. The Cubs tied the score in the eighth when pinch-runner Tony Campana stole second and third with two outs and scored on Starlin Castro's infield single.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Twins 4, A's 0

MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Liriano returned to the Twins rotation with six shutout innings to send A's to their eighth straight loss. Liriano's first six starts were so bad he was put in the bullpen for five appearances. "Everything that happened previously, I had to put it behind me and move forward," said Liriano, who retired the last 11 batters he faced. He struck out nine, the most this season by any Twins pitcher. The A's are batting .172 during the current slide.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Today: Off

Up next: vs. Orioles, 7:10 Friday; Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (6-3, 2,71); Orioles — Wei-Yin Chen (4-1, 3.31)

On deck

Saturday: vs. Orioles, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 2.83); Orioles — Brian Matusz (4-5, 4.82)

Sunday: vs. Orioles 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (1-5, 4.76); Orioles — Jake Arrieta (2-6, 5.37)

Monday: Off

Matsui mania

Turns out, DH/OF Hideki Matsui's two-run homer in his Rays debut Tuesday was big news in Japan, gracing the front page of several newspapers. As one Japanese writer put it, "It was economics, politics and Matsui."

Matsui mania, part II

When DH/OF Hideki Matsui homered Tuesday, it marked the fifth time a Japanese player homered in his debut with a major-league team, and the second time he has done it (with the Angels, April 5, 2010, against the Brewers).

Quote of the day I

"I asked him: 'Really? Behind me?' And he goes, 'Hey, I have no idea what that was; I didn't say anything to him about it.' He seemed to say he was completely innocent in the matter."

Ben Zobrist, Rays 2B, on his conversation with White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski after LHP Jose Quintana threw a pitch behind Zobrist in the fourth inning. Zobrist believed it was intentional.

Quote of the day II

"These guys are good, they're going to be in the pennant race until the end and maybe we'll see them down the road again."

A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox C, on the Rays

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Guests of the day

Most of the Bucs rookies, including LB Najee Goode, at right being denied cotton candy, and RB Doug Martin, were at the Rays game with students from Campbell Park Elementary in St. Petersburg. The group visited the rays tank and helped sing Take Me out to the Ball Game during the seventh-inning stretch.

Number of the day

244

Strikeouts in May for Rays pitchers, a club record for any month. The previous best was 233 in June 2007.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

PARIS — Used to be that Venus Williams was the one who was highly ranked, the title contender, the one who would dominate foes so thoroughly that matches would be tidily wrapped up in an hour.

Now 31 and figuring out from day to day how to handle an illness that saps her strength, Williams was on the wrong end of a lopsided 60-minute defeat in the second round of the French Open on Wednesday.

Looking glum and lacking the verve that carried her to seven Grand Slam titles, Williams barely put up any resistance and lost 6-2, 6-3 to No. 3-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska at Roland Garros. Coming a day after her younger sister, Serena, was stunned in the first round by 111th-ranked Virginie Razzano, the early exit marked the first time in 43 major tournaments with both in the field that neither got to the third round.

"I felt like I played," Williams said after making a hard-to-fathom 33 unforced errors, 27 more than Radwanska. "That pretty much sums it up."

This one was not exactly an out-of-nowhere upset, considering Williams is ranked 53rd, never has been as good on clay as on other surfaces, and is learning how to be a professional athlete with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain.

"I don't know if I ever asked myself, 'Why me?' I mean, obviously it's frustrating at times. I don't know if there's anything mental more I can do at this point, but there's a lot of stages to go through with this kind of thing," said Williams, whose fastest-in-the-game serve was broken five times Wednesday. "There's a lot of people who have it a lot worse than I do."

At changeovers, Williams would slink to the sideline then sit on her green bench with hands clasped, staring straight ahead, expressionless and motionless.

She was far more animated afterward, laughing often while discussing her condition and graciously complimenting the play of Radwanska.

"Of course, when I saw the draw, I wasn't very happy, because Venus as a second-round opponent, it's not easy," Radwanska said. "Maybe she just had a bad day here."

While never advancing past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam tournament, Radwanska, 23, has shown signs of being ready for a major breakthrough, with three lesser titles and a tour-high 38 victories in 2012. Of her seven losses, six were against No. 1-ranked Victoria Azarenka.

On an easy day for the top-seeded players, Azarenka breezed into the third round with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Dinah Pfizenmaier 6-1, 6-1, while the No. 1 man, Novak Djokovic, extended his Grand Slam win streak to 23 matches by beating Blaz Kavcic 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.

"Being No. 1 is a difficult job because everybody wants to catch you, everybody wants to move you from the spot," said Azarenka, pushed to three sets in the first round. "Nothing is going to come easy just because you're No. 1."

For years, Roger Federer managed to make things look easy at the top. Now No. 3, he went through a bit of a glitch and dropped a set Wednesday before earning his record-breaking 234th Grand Slam match victory, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3 against 92nd-ranked Adrian Ungur.

"I have been around for so long that, even though I expect myself to win, I can still manage to do that," said Federer, on course for a semifinal showdown with Djokovic. "Whereas in the beginning, when you think you're good but you're maybe not that good yet, you get many more surprise losses."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

. fast facts

This week on pro golf tours TV

PGA: Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio. TV: Today-Friday, 3, Golf Channel; Saturday, 12:30, Golf, and 3, Ch. 10; Sunday, noon, Golf, and 3, Ch. 10

LPGA: Shoprite LPGA Classic, Seaview Hotel and GC, Galloway, N.J. TV on Golf Channel: Friday, 12:30; Saturday, 2:30; Sunday, 2

Champions: Principal Charity Classic, Glen Oaks CC, Des Moines, Iowa. TV on Golf Channel: Friday-Saturday, 6:30; Sunday, 7

PGA Europe: Wales Open, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales. TV on Golf Channel: Today-Friday, 9:30 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Pirates 2, Reds 1

PITTSBURGH — A.J. Burnett allowed just two hits over seven innings and Matt Hague hit a two-run double as the Pirates clinched their first winning May in four years. Burnett escaped early trouble then cruised to win his third straight start. The right-hander retired 17 straight at one point, with only three balls reaching the outfield. Joel Hanrahan worked out of a two-on, one-out jam for his 13th save.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — RHP Roy Oswalt expects he will need four starts in the minors before joining the Rangers.

"For the last six weeks I've been throwing bullpens every other day. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of throwing in before I stepped out on the field," Oswalt, 34, said Wednesday on a conference call. "My arm feels great. My body feels great."

Oswalt agreed to a minor-league deal with the AL West-leading Rangers and is scheduled to make his first start for Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

The former Astros and Phillies pitcher said the Dodgers were among other teams interested in signing him. But his relationship with Rangers president Nolan Ryan and pitching coach Mike Maddux played a big part in his decision, along with playing close to his home in Mississippi.

Oswalt had two stints on the DL last season because of lower back inflammation, but the Rangers don't have significant concerns since Oswalt's back doctor also worked with the team.

He is scheduled to be in Arlington, Texas, today for his physical.

Marlins roof miscue: Rain washed out batting practice at Marlins Park, the $634 million facility with a retractable roof. The roof was open when a rain cell developed nearly four hours before the start of the game against the Nationals. Showers fell for nearly 15 minutes before the roof began to close. The grounds crew scrambled to cover the infield with a tarp. Puddles accumulated on warning track. "The fish are laughing at us," said a security guard, referring to the residents of the aquarium behind home plate. Team vice president Claude Delomme said there was a delay in closing the roof because of safety issues.

Dodgers investigation: A federal grand jury is investigating possible criminal financial misconduct of the team and related entities during the ownership of Frank and Jamie McCourt, the Los Angeles Daily Journal reported. The probe started early last year and appears to be focused on the accounting and propriety of Dodgers spending.

Moyer Limbo: LHP Jamie Moyer was designated for assignment by the Rockies, about six weeks after he became the oldest starting pitcher to win a game in the majors. Moyer, 49, said he hopes to continue his career elsewhere. "It's a tough pill to swallow but it's part of the business," said Moyer, who was 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts. The Rockies have 10 days to trade him or release him.

Clemens trial: Former journeyman C Charlie O'Brien testified at Roger Clemens' perjury trial, saying mastery of a new pitch was what prolonged the 11-time All-Star's career. O'Brien, who caught Clemens in 1997, said, "That pitch right there — the split-finger fastball" was why Clemens continued after age 34, and added, "I don't think he'd cheat," in reference to performance-enhancing drugs.

Dodgers: In his second game back from the DL, CF Matt Kemp apparently reinjured the left hamstring that kept him out for two weeks and left the game against the Brewers.

Mets: The team is in no rush to sign 3B David Wright to a new contract. "He's under contract this year ($15.25 million), we have an option for next year ($16 million), there's no gun to anybody's head," chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said. After 2013, Wright can become a free agent. GM Sandy Alderson said the team will speak to Wright's agents this season, but that does not mean an offer is imminent.

Meanwhile, Ronny Cedeno (strained left calf) joined the team's list of injured shortstops, so Omar Quintanilla was in the lineup. Cedeno was subbing Justin Turner (sprained right ankle), who was in for Ruben Tejada (strained right quad).

Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia hopes to avoid the DL but was out of the lineup and is day to day with a slightly torn muscle in his right thumb.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Braves 10, Cardinals 7

ATLANTA — Wearing his new glasses, Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs to help the Braves recover after blowing a five-run lead. Freeman, who had missed four straight starts with vision problems, homered in the first and added an RBI double and RBI single.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Phillies 10, Mets 6

NEW YORK — Pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz hit a tying homer in the seventh, Jimmy Rollins added a three-run shot and the Phillies bailed out winless Cliff Lee to take two of three in the series. Shane Victorino drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Red Sox 6, Tigers 4

BOSTON — David Ortiz and Will Middlebrooks each hit two-run homers, Kevin Youkilis had a solo shot and the Red Sox won for the 14th time in 19 games. But Boston remains in last in a the AL East. Adrian Gonzalez had a pair of doubles for Boston, his second breaking a 4-all tie in the seventh. Miguel Cabrera went 4-for-5 with three doubles and drove in a run for Detroit.

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

nfl

49ers coach: no manning flirtation

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh insisted Wednesday that the 49ers planned to have Alex Smith as their quarterback even while they examined the possibility of signing then-free agent Peyton Manning.

Harbaugh ended his weekly meeting with reporters by addressing what he said is the "erroneous perception that we were flirting with Peyton Manning." Manning, who signed with the Broncos, worked out for the 49ers in North Carolina in March.

Harbaugh called the reports silly and phony, then spoke at length about his and the team's support for Smith.

Bucs: Former Seahawks scouting executive Eric Stokes was named director of college scouting. He replaces Dennis Hickey, promoted last year to director of player personnel overseeing the pro and college scouting departments.

Cowboys: Owner Jerry Jones said the team has no intention of trading former USF cornerback Mike Jenkins.

Packers: Donald Driver, the team's all-time leading receiver who is coming off a victory on Dancing with the Stars, finalized a restructured contract and joined the team for training, agent Jordan Woy told Fox Sports.

pro bowl: After players promised the game will be competitive, the league said it will hold the Pro Bowl in Honolulu on Jan. 27, a week before the Super Bowl.

'slash' retires: Seven years after he played his last game, Kordell "Slash" Stewart, 39, signed a one-day contract to retire a Steeler. He played his first eight seasons in Pittsburgh, where he was nicknamed "Slash" for his play as quarterback/running back/receiver.

Sapp back on nfl network: Ex-Buc Warren Sapp, dropped by Showtime's Inside the NFL, will return as an NFL Network analyst for another year, executive producer Eric Weinberger told USA Today.

et cetera

soccer: Neymar converted a penalty kick and had two assists as Brazil took advantage of a sloppy U.S. backline to win 4-1 in an exhibition at Landover, Md. Herculez Gomez scored for the United States.

autos: IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said on Twitter that several owners are trying to get him fired, as a story on Speed.com said. Michael Andretti, one of the owners named in the story, said on Twitter the report is "sensationalism." Owners have been upset over several issues.

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer; Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Blue Jays 4, Orioles 1

TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion hit one of Toronto's four solo homers as the Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep. Starter Brandon Morrow suffered a bruised right shin and is day to day after he was struck by a liner in the seventh. He still earned the win. Jason Hammel allowed a career-high four homers for the Orioles, whose season-worst skid reached five games and kept them tied with the Rays atop the AL East.