http://www.kentucky.com/sports/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2010 Kentucky.com Sports 60 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:12:18 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/18/1186589/sports-in-brief.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/18/1186589/sports-in-brief.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:01 EDT
Florida's Meyer returns to practice after medical leave

With a whistle around his neck and a smile on his face, Florida Coach Urban Meyer returned to practice Wednesday following a leave of absence that turned out to be shorter than everyone expected. His stay could be longer than anticipated, too. Although Meyer declined to divulge any details about his health, he said his return was permanent.

"I feel fine and I feel good," Meyer said following a rain-soaked practice that lasted nearly three hours.

His brief break came as a result of chest pains, a hospital stay and brief resignation. He had planned to step away after Florida's bowl game in early January, but he stuck around to hire four assistant coaches and lock up the nation's No. 1 recruiting class.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/18/1186587/scoreboard.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/18/1186587/scoreboard.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:11 EDT
BASEBALL

Major League Baseball

MLB Suspended Seattle LHP Cliff Lee for the first five games of the regular season for throwing a pitch over the head of Arizona's Chris Snyder in an exhibition game.

American League ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/17/1184881/sports-briefs-march-17.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/17/1184881/sports-briefs-march-17.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:48 EDT
Drivers top 200 mphduring Talladega spoiler tests

Speeds exceeded 200 mph during NASCAR's spoiler test at Talladega Superspeedway Tuesday. NASCAR plans to switch from a rear wing to a traditional spoiler, perhaps as early as next week's race at Martinsville Speedway, and the test was the first time a large group of cars have been on a track with the spoiler. There were 25 Sprint Cup teams at the test, which started with single-car runs and moved to a drafting practice.

NASCAR called teams into the garage to change the size of the restrictor-plate, which is used to control speeds at Talladega and Daytona, the two largest and fastest tracks in the series. Later, NASCAR ordered teams to trim the spoilers in an effort to level them off and decrease the drag, something driver Kurt Busch said was needed.

"Overall I'd say we have a thumbs up with the spoiler," Busch said. "We might need to trim the spoiler a little bit to balance out the drag because, right now, the lead car can get out there, but he can't go anywhere, and it invites everybody else to suck up really easy. That's a concern. We need to balance out how close we keep the pack and yet how controlled the pack is. But the spoiler felt comfortable."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/17/1184877/scoreboard.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/17/1184877/scoreboard.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:17 EDT
BASEBALL

American League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Announced RHP Steve Johnson, a Rule 5 draft pick, has been returned to San Francisco, who assigned him to Bowie (EL).

BOSTON RED SOX Sent LHP Armando Zerpa outright to Pawtucket (IL). ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/16/1183404/sports-briefs-march-16.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/16/1183404/sports-briefs-march-16.html Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:46 EDT
Pistons lose game to Celtics, Prince to back injury

Paul Pierce , Ray Allen and Michael Finley scored 15 points apiece, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and eight rebounds on Monday night to help the Boston Celtics coast to a 119-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Boston rested its starters in the fourth quarter while beating up on a non-contender for the second straight home game. But in between was a 104-93 loss at Cleveland that could be a more important measure of where the Celtics stand in the playoff hunt.

Will Bynum had 16 points and seven assists, and Jason Maxiell had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who lost their second straight game and their ninth out of 11.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/16/1183403/scoreboard-march-16.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/16/1183403/scoreboard-march-16.html Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:46 EDT
BASEBALL

American League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Optioned RHP Brandon Erbe and LHP Troy Patton to Norfolk (IL) and RHP Luis Lebron and RHP Chorye Spoone to Bowie (EL). Reassigned RHP Armando Gabino, LHP Chris George and LHP Michael Hinckley to their minor league camp.

CLEVELAND INDIANS Optioned LHP Kelvin De La Cruz to Akron (IL). Reassigned RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Zach Putnam and RHP Alex White to their minor league camp. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/14/1181009/sports-briefs-march-14.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/14/1181009/sports-briefs-march-14.html Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:08 EDT
Browns bring in Delhomme to compete at quarterback

Jake Delhomme has a new NFL home, and the Cleveland Browns have another new quarterback.

Delhomme, released last week by the Carolina Panthers, has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Browns, whose quarterback position has been nothing short of a merry-go-round of players since the club returned as an expansion team 11 years ago.

Delhomme's agent, Rick Smith , said the 35-year-old QB would sign his contract before the club's off-season conditioning program begins. Smith refused to comment beyond saying Delhomme would be resuming his career in Cleveland.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/14/1181007/scoreboard.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/14/1181007/scoreboard.html Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:09 EDT
BASEBALL

American League

BOSTON RED SOX Announced OF Ryan Westmoreland has taken medical leave from minor league camp.

MINNESOTA TWINS Agreed to terms with OF Denard Span on a five-year contract. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/13/1179946/sports-briefs-march-13.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/13/1179946/sports-briefs-march-13.html Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:47 EST
Bengals sign receiver Bryantto four-year contract

Antonio Bryant is the latest complementary receiver to Chad Ochocinco in Cincinnati.

Bryant signed a four-year deal with the Bengals on Friday. He ostensibly replaced Laveranues Coles , who spent the 2009 season with the team, but then was released.

Bryant comes off a season in which he complained about a diminished role in Tampa Bay's offense. After recovering from surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee last year, Bryant had 39 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns. The previous year, Bryant revived his career after being out of football in 2007, finishing with 83 catches for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/13/1179945/scoreboard-march-13.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/13/1179945/scoreboard-march-13.html Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:47 EST
BASEBALL

American League

NEW YORK YANKEES Agreed to terms with RHP Alfredo Aceves, RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, C Francisco Cervelli, RHP Joba Chamberlain, 2B Reegie Corono, LHP Wilkin De La Rossa, RHP Christian Garcia, OF Brett Gardner, OF Greg Golson, OF Jamie Hoffman, RHP Phil Hughes, RHp Mark Melancon, RHP Hector Noesi, RHP Ivan Nova, 2B Ramiro Pena, RHP David Robertson, 2B Kevin Russo and RHP Romulo Sanchez on one-year contracts.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS Optioned RHP Casey Fien and LHP Brad Mills to Las Vegas (PCL). Assigned RHP Kyle Drabek and 1B-DH David Cooper to their minor-league camp. National League ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1179006/wku-names-new-athletics-director.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1179006/wku-names-new-athletics-director.html Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:30 EST
Bjork replaces Wood Selig, who left to take the athletics director job at Old Dominion.

Western Kentucky President Gary Ransdell said at a news conference Friday that Bjork has worked the past five seasons as senior associate athletic director for development and external relations at UCLA.

Ransdell says Bjork has 18 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, having also worked at Miami, Fla., and Missouri.

In addition, Bjork worked at Western Kentucky from 1996 to 1997 as assistant development coordinator.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1178529/sweet-sixteen-briefs-march-12.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1178529/sweet-sixteen-briefs-march-12.html Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:51 EDT
BOWLING GREEN Rockcastle County Coach Chrysti Noble walked into the media room following her team's 69-36 win over Murray and grinned.

"It's nice to walk in here smiling; the past five times I've been back here I've been crying," she said.

Not only did Rockcastle County pick up its first Houchens Industries/KHSAA Girls' Sweet Sixteen win in school history Thursday, the Rockets had the look of a team that will to hang around for a while. Rockcastle had gone winless in its five previous trips to the Sweet Sixteen, the first coming in 1997 and the last in 2008.

"In the past we weren't as confident as we are this year," said junior forward Sara Hammond, who was making her third appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. "This team has played together for a while and our confidence is high."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1178524/scoreboard-march-12.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1178524/scoreboard-march-12.html Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:57 EST
BASEBALL

American League

KANSAS CITY ROYALS Reassigned 3B Mike Moustakas, OF David Lough, LHP Danny Duffy, OF David Robinson, 1B Ernest Mejia, INF Mario Lisson and C Steve Lerud to their minor league camp.

National League ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1178525/sports-briefs-march-12.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/12/1178525/sports-briefs-march-12.html Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:52 EST
Lookin At Lucky to make 2010 debut in Rebel Stakes

Lookin At Lucky won't be looking at much in Saturday's Rebel Stakes, and that's exactly how his trainer wants it. The Kentucky Derby hopeful will wear blinkers for the first time when he makes his 2010 debut in the second of Oaklawn Park's three big 3-year-old prep races. Lookin At Lucky headlines a seven-horse field for the Rebel in Hot Springs, Ark., which will be his first race since December.

Although his horse has won five of six career starts, trainer Bob Baffert is willing to tinker a bit since the Derby is still a little while off. Blinkers can restrict a horse's vision a bit, reducing distractions and helping him stay focused on running straight.

"When he makes the lead, he sort of shuts it down. So far he's been working with blinkers, and he's been working very well with it," Baffert said. "We're running on dirt, blinkers. We're going to find out a lot about him. If you're going to do an experiment, it's important to do it in this race and not the race next. The final prep is important."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/11/1176833/sports-briefs-march-11.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/11/1176833/sports-briefs-march-11.html Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:56 EST
Marion Jones joins Shock, refuses to look back

Marion Jones hasn't lost much of her swagger.

The disgraced sprinter once called the world's fastest woman was introduced Wednesday as the newest member of the WNBA's Tulsa Shock and she offered no apologies for her steroids use or her time in federal prison.

"The word redemption is not in my vocabulary," Jones said at a news conference, flanked by team president Steve Swetoha and Coach Nolan Richardso n. "I'm a competitor, I want to play against the best in the world, and I know that I will be doing that."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/11/1176832/scoreboard-march-11.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/11/1176832/scoreboard-march-11.html Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:01 EST
BASEBALL

COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE Voided the New York Mets claim of LHP Jay Marshall, who has been returned to Oakland. Suspeneded N.Y. Mets minor league P Melvin Colon, Cleveland minor league OF Steven Lebron, N.Y. Yankees minor league C Josue Rodriguez and N.Y. Yankees minor league P Israel Tolentino 50 games after testing positive for substances in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

MLBPA Named Tony Clark director of player relations and Steve Fehr special counsel.

American League ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/10/1175156/sports-briefs-march-10.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/10/1175156/sports-briefs-march-10.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:43 EST
Edwards put on probation after intentional wreck

Sticking with its "boys, have at it" attitude, NASCAR placed Carl Edwards on probation for three races Tuesday for deliberately wrecking Brad Keselowski 's car last weekend in Atlanta.

Edwards will be monitored by NASCAR through the April 10 race at Phoenix but may drive in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series.

NASCAR President Mike Helton said Edwards acted unacceptably Sunday but did not cross the line in what the sanctioning body will allow this season. NASCAR promised in January to give the drivers more leeway in policing themselves and settling scores in an effort to energize the sport.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1174201/lexington-gets-womens-semi-pro.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1174201/lexington-gets-womens-semi-pro.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:23 EST
The Women's Blue Chip Basketball League says its mission is to provide highly competitive basketball for women ages 20 and older. The competition level ranges from former college players to former NWBL and WNBA players and current international players.

Lexington's team, called the Lightning, will play in the seven-team North East Division along with two clubs from Toronto, and one each from Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, Ohio, and Flint, Mich.

The league has 58 teams in all. The season begins May 15.

The Lightning are seeking coaches, players, officials and staff for the 2010 season. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1173690/sports-in-brief.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1173690/sports-in-brief.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:40 EST
Rachel Alexandra's 2010 debut Saturday at the Fair Grounds

The wait is almost over for Rachel Alexandra .

The 2009 Horse of the Year will face four rivals when she makes her first start in six months in Saturday's $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds.

The 4-year-old filly drew the No. 2 post position Monday and regular rider Calvin Borel will be aboard. Rachel will be challenged by Fighter Wing , Zardana , Unforgotten and Clear Sailing .]]> http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1173688/scoreboard.html http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1173688/scoreboard.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:44 EST
BASEBALL

Major League Baseball

MLB Named Sandy Alderson to serve as a consultant, focusing on the implementation of reform to the sport's operations in the Dominican Republic. American League

BOSTON RED SOX Agreed to terms with RHP Daniel Bard, RHP Michael Bowden, RHP Clay Buchholz, LHP Felix Doubront, RHP Ramon A. Ramirez, LHP Dustin Richardson, C Dusty Brown, C Mark Wagner, 1B Aaron Bates, 2B Tug Hulett and SS Jed Lowrie, OF Jacoby Ellsbury and OF Josh Reddick on one-year contracts. ]]>