Sports Beat column - July 12, 2006

Sports Beat
July 12, 2006

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

DC DIVAS BLAST LOCOMOTION

Allyson Hamlin led the DC Divas to a 40-0 first round playoff win to help her Divas to a Conference Championship game on July 22nd against the Columbus Comets at the Prince Georgeâ¤s County Sports and Learning Complex. Hamlin hit on 8 of 12 passes including two TDâ¤s, she also ran for a TD and was named the offensive MVP for the game. Ivy Tillman led the Divas defense and was the defensive MVP. Kathryn Hemlock returned an errant Locomotion pass 71 yards for a TD. This was the eighth shutout the DC Divas recorded this season.

Divas head coach Ezra Cooper is working to have his team ready for the Comets. For DC Divas information go to www.dcdivas.com.

Interesting All-Star game but the American League won again, 3-2.

Maryland EPTC Squad Wins USFHA National Women's Field Hockey Tournament
Incoming freshman also claims Futures title.

Led by Terrapin head coach Missy Meharg, the Maryland High Performance Center team won the USA Field Hockey's Women's National Championship which was held at the U.S. Training Center in Virginia Beach. In addition to crowning the national champion, the tournament also served as a selection opportunity to USA Field Hockey's World Cup Squad, in which three former Terrapins were selected to participate.

Of the the 22 selected athletes and nine developmental squad members who will compete for spots on the USA World Cup team, current National Team members Dina Rizzo, Sara Silvetti and Lauren Powley are among the players eligible for the team. The World Cup will be held Sept. 27-Oct. 8 in Madrid.

Aside from the three former Terps who were selected to the USA World Cup team pool, also among the members of the Maryland Thundersticks were Emily Beach, also a former Terp, and current Terrapins Alicia Grater and Kristina Edmonds. Meharg, a five-time national coach of the year, and current Maryland assistant coach Tjerk van Herwaarden were among the team's staff.

Maryland squad defeated the South team, 4-2, to claim the team's first national championship. The Thundersticks held a 1-0 halftime lead and then opened the scoring in the second half to take a 2-0 advantage. Rizzo, a 2001 first team All-American while with the Terps, widened the lead to 3-0 just two minutes later before a penalty corner for the South to cut Maryland's lead to 3-1. Maryland quickly restored its lead to 4-1 three minutes later before the South responded the scoring with a field goal in the 64th minute

At the USFHA National Futures Championship, which is held in conjunction with the USFHA Women's National Championship, Pennsylvania's Lancaster won the gold medal in the Under-19 division. Incoming freshman Alexis Pappas is a member of the Lancaster squad that defeated Las Vegas, 4-0, to claim the crown.

Held in conjunction with USA Field Hockey's National Futures Championship, the tournament features teams comprised of college-aged and older athletes including current members of the USA National Squad and recent college All-America selections. Athletes are selected to train at regionally-based high performance training centers and are selected to compete at the National Championships based on their performances during the spring. In addition to National Championship honors, the tournament serves as a selection opportunity to the USA National Squad and USA Junior National Camp.

The culmination of USA Field Hockey's Futures Program, the National Futures Champions features the top athletes from the more than 5,000 of the program's nation-wide participants. After receiving five months of elite-level training and tactical instruction in preparation for possible future selection to the USA National Teams, Futures athletes compete in regional tournaments where the top players are then selected to compete at the national championship tournament.

For more information on both USFHA program's, visit www.usfieldhockey.com.

Maryland Awarded 2009 NCAA Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds
Terps will host in back-to-back years.

The University of Maryland was selected to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship in 2009, the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee announced Thursday. Comcast Center will host the opening rounds of the tournament in back-to-back years, beginning in 2008.

College Park had already been selected as one of eight opening-round sites for the 2008 tournament.

Comcast Center is among eight sites selected to host in 2009. Other cities awarded first- and second-round sites are Albuquerque, N.M., Baton Rouge, La., Columbus, Ohio, Duluth, Ga., Lubbock, Texas, Los Angeles and Piscataway, N.J., with the Final Four being played in St. Louis.

"We have one of the best facilities in the nation and some of the best fans in the country. We are looking forward to showing off our great campus, hospitality and fan support once again," said Terrapin head coach Brenda Frese. "When we hosted the NCAA Tournament in 2005, it was a great event."

"We are honored to be selected once again to host the first and second rounds of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Comcast Center has proven to be an outstanding location for such a wonderful event," said Maryland Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow. "Our staff has run an efficient tournament in the past and the fan support has been terrific, so the NCAA has rewarded us with back-to-back selections, as we are also hosting the 2008 tournament."

Maryland has hosted NCAA Tournament games eight times, most recently in 2005, the first year the NCAA Tournament was restructured to have eight first- and second-round sites.

Doron, Langhorne Named to All-ACC Academic Women's Basketball Team
Maryland is one of five teams with multiple honorees.

Maryland junior guard Shay Doron and sophomore forward Crystal Langhorne headline this year's All- Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Women's Basketball Team after helping the Terps win their first NCAA Championship in April. Both were among the 15 student-athletes recognized following their academic accomplishments, as recently announced on by Commissioner John D. Swofford.

To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her academic career.

A two-time all-conference selection, Langhorne led the league in double-doubles with 15 on the season and has 33 for her career. She was among the top three scorers in the league (17.2 points per game) and was second in the league in rebounding (8.6 rebounds per game). Langhorne was named All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association and the Associated Press this season and was also the Albuquerque Region's Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament.

Three-time All-ACC selection Doron is a repeat honoree from previous league all-academic teams. This season, she was voted ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA second team Academic All-America and has been on the conference's all-academic squad three times. Doron was among the top 15 scorers in the league (13.4 ppg), top 10 in assists (3.92 assists per game), top 10 in free throw shooting (82.8 percent) and top 15 in three-point field goal percentage (38.4 percent).

Maryland was one of five schools to have multiple honorees on the All-ACC Academic team. Florida State had the most selections with four, followed by Boston College, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia Tech who all had two.

2006 All-ACC Academic Women's Basketball Team
Name, School (Pos., Year, Major)
Sarah Marshall, Boston College (G, Jr., Communications)
Brooke Queenan, Boston College (F, Sr., Economics)
Amanda Frist, Clemson (C, Sr., Early Childhood Education)
Jessica Foley, Duke (G, Sr., Environmental Sciences)
Ganiyat Adeduntan, Florida State (G, Sr., Nursing)
Alicia Gladden, Florida State (G, Jr., Sport Management)
Holly Johnson, Florida State (G, Sr., Media Production)
LaQuinta Neely, Florida State (G, Sr., Elementary Education)
Shay Doron, Maryland (G, Jr., Criminology and Criminal Justice)
Crystal Langhorne, Maryland (C/F, So., Undeclared)
Tatjana Marincic, Miami (G/F, Sr., International Finance & Marketing)
Jennifer Nelms, North Carolina (G, Sr., Communication Studies)
Jessica Sell, North Carolina (G, Sr., Communication Studies)
Laura Haskins, Virginia Tech (G, Fr., Management)
Carrie Mason, Virginia Tech (G, Sr., Accounting and Information Systems)

BIG TRAIN REPORT

BIG TRAIN SEASON PASSES ON SALE FOR HALF-PRICE
As the Big Train starts the second-half of its season, we will start to sell season passes for half-price. You may buy the season passes at Povich Field this weekend during the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Games. Family passes and Corporate Season Passes for Four will be on sale for $50. Individual season passes will cost $25. You may apply the cost of your tickets to the season pass (e.g., a family with a 10-year-old, a teenager, and two parents will pay $22 to attend a game this weekend; for an additional $28, you can buy a Family Pass for all twelve Big Train games remaining in July.

TRAIN ROLLS PAST ORIOLES BACK INTO FIRST PLACE
A standing-room-only crowd, a perfect night for baseball, and first place on the line. The Big Train bats came through, hanging a six spot on the scoreboard in the first inning and romping to a 15-5 win over Youse's Orioles on Saturday night at Povich Field. Corey Lane (UNC-Charlotte) singled to start the bottom of the first, but Daniel Cropper (UNC-Wilmington), last week's CRSL Pitcher of the Week, struck out the next two Bethesda batters. Then the fun began. Preston Pehrson (Texas) ripped a double to score Lane. Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) walked. Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) singled to load the bases. Adam Plummer (Pitt-Johnstown) singled home Pehrson and Adkins, and Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) hit a towering home run over the right field fence. Advantage Bethesda, 6-0.

Big Train starting pitcher Evan Frederickson (Virginia Tech) pitched four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts before giving up a three run home run to Vincent Difazio (Alabama) in the fifth. Frederickson turned the ball and a 9-3 lead to reliever Robby Smithson (Lipscomb) who pitched two and two-thirds innings of scoreless ball before allowing two runs. The Big Train hung another six spot on the board in the sixth thanks in part to two Orioles errors. Alex Pepe (Florida Atlantic) got the last four outs to nail down the victory. Lane and Leach each had three hits; Plummer and Dietz each had three RBIs. Every Big Train starter scored.

Youse's Orioles (13-8) 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 -- 5 8 1
Bethesda Big Train (14-8) 6 1 0 0 2 6 0 0 x -- 15 16 0

WP: Frederickson (2-1)
LP: Cropper (1-1)
HR: Dietz (BBT), Difazio (YMO), Long (BBT)
3B: Lane (BBT)
2B: Pehrson (BBT), McClanahan (YMO), Adkins (two) (BBT), Leach (BBT)
Attendance: 848
Time: Two hours and 45 minutes

Big Train Notes: Saturday night's crowd of 848 was the season's high... the Big Train raffle came just a long-arm shy of $500 at $491... The three Montgomery County-based CRSL teams all won on Saturday... Saturday night was Orioles Bird Night, with the Bird returning to Povich Field for the eighth straight year. Chick-fil-A was in the house. Our sponsor Hopkins & Porter Construction presented a $5,000 check to Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- SATURDAY JULY 8
Results of Saturday July 8
Bethesda Big Train defeated Youse's Orioles 15-5 at Povich Field Rockville Express defeated College Park Bombers 10-1 at Knights Field SS-T Thunderbolts defeated Maryland Redbirds 4-1 at Bishop Stadium at the Naval Academy

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train 14-8 .636 --
Youse's Maryland Orioles 13-8 .619 .5
Rockville Express 12-10 .545 2
SS-T Thunderbolts 9-10 .474 3.5
College Park Bombers 9-14 .391 5.5
Maryland Redbirds 7-14 .333 6.5

The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (6-3), Rockville (3-3), Silver Spring-Takoma (2-5).

Log onto http://www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/ for up-to-date boxscores and standings.
Sign-up for CRSL email alerts: http://ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/maillist/program/action.cgi?actionfiltered=adduser

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BIG TRAIN
For more information, please log onto www.bigtrain.org or call 301/983-1006. Or email us at faninfo@bigtrain.org.

CAL RIPKEN, SR. COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE
2006 is the second season of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The Maryland-based collegiate wooden bat league is comprised of six teams: Bethesda Big Train, College Park Maryland Bombers, Maryland Redbirds, Rockville Express, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Youse's Maryland Orioles. The teams play a 40-game regular season that starts on Friday, June 9 with the Maryland Orioles visiting the Big Train at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has a license agreement with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the use of the name Cal Ripken, Sr. and is not affiliated with nor sponsored by the Foundation or Ripken Baseball. For information, please log onto www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org.

WICKSWAT FLIRTS WITH NO-NO; TRAIN SWEEPS BOMBERS
Big Train starter Matt Wickswat (Santa Clara) had a no-hitter through six innings in the first game of Friday's doubleheader. The Big Train took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Preston Pehrson (Texas) doubled and scored on a single by Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi). As CRSL doubleheaders are made up of two seven inning games, Wickswat was three outs from a no-hitter. But Chris Nann (Northern Kentucky) singled to leftfield for the Bombers in the top of the seventh. When Wickswat exited, the bases were loaded and only one out. Big Train reliever Brian Anderson (San Francisco) fanned two Bomber batters to preserve the victory. Jim Britton (St. Bonaventure) was the hard luck loser, throwing a four hit complete game.

College Park Bombers (9-12) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0 1 1
Bethesda Big Train (12-8) 0 0 0 0 0 1 x -- 1 4 2

WP: Wickswat (1-0)
LP: Britton (2-3)
Save: Anderson
2B: Pehrson (BBT)
Attendance: 210
Time: One hour and 39 minutes

In the second game of Friday's doubleheader, the Big Train looked to have a promising second inning when the first two hitters singled. But a routine flyout to right and confusion on the basepaths turned into an improbable inning-ending triple-play. They tried it again in the top of the third and made it work. Designated-hitter Chris Taylor (UNC-Charlotte) and Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi) singled. Taylor scored on an RBI groundout by Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State). Big Train starter Keith Moreland (UNC-Charlotte) pitched three scoreless innings before handing the ball to Austin Hinkle (Coastal Carolina). Hinkle held the score at 1-0 through five innings, but in the top of the sixth designated hitter Thomas Dolan (Temple) doubled and Nick Jowers (Maryland) singled and both scored to give the Bombers a 2-1 lead. The Big Train responded. Matt Long (Santa Clara) and Preston Pehrson (Texas) singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brian Adkins (Southern Mississippi) and a single by Steven Leach (Jacksonville State). Advantage Bethesda, 3-2.

With one out in the top of the seventh (and final) inning, Matt Bodenchuk (Mesa State) and Sherman Reed (Southern) singled. Wyatt Stewart (Richmond) replaced Hinkle, and Jowers singled home Bodenchuk to tie the game at three. Dolan, who had replaced College Park starter Michael Bell (Catonsville CC) in the sixth, allowed a hit and a walk in the bottom of the seventh, but struck out the side to send the game to extra-innings. Stewart walked the lead-off batter in the top of the first extra inning, but Pehrson gunned him down trying to steal second. Stewart retired the next two batters. Dolan returned the favor, walking Big Train lead-off Leach. Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) sacrificed Leach to second and Dozier singled him home to give Bethesda a 4-3 win.

College Park Bombers (9-13) 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 -- 3 9 1
Bethesda Big Train (13-8) 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 -- 4 10 0

WP: Stewart (1-1)
LP: Dolan (2-1)
2B Dolan (CPB)
Attendance: 535
Time: Two hours and 17 minutes

Big Train Notes: Nail-biters -- eight of the Big Train's first 21 games have been decided by one run, with the Big Train winning four and losing four. Fourteen have been within two runs, with the Big Train winning 7 and losing 7... Our largest loss was 6-3 to the Redbirds on June 12... It was Maryland Nighthawks Night on Friday with former NBA player Lawrence Moten, mascot Dunkin' and JP of the Sports Junkies. Fans brought food to donate to the Manna Food Center. Our sponsor was Natelli Communities.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- FRIDAY JULY 7
Score from Wednesday July 5
Youse's Orioles defeated SS-T Thunderbolts 9-3 at Blair Stadium Results of Friday July 7 Bethesda Big Train defeated College Park Bombers 1-0 (7) and 4-3 (8) at Povich Field Maryland Redbirds defeated SS-T Thunderbolts 9-3 at Blair Stadium Youse's Orioles defeated Rockville Express 1-0 at Bachman Park

Regular Season Standings
Youse's Maryland Orioles 13-7 .650 --
Bethesda Big Train 13-8 .619 .5
Rockville Express 11-10 .524 2.5
SS-T Thunderbolts 8-10 .444 4
College Park Bombers 9-13 .409 5
Maryland Redbirds 7-13 .350 6

The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (6-3), Rockville (3-3), Silver Spring-Takoma (2-5).

LEMONADE SHAKING GUY
The Lemonade Shaking Guy from Camden Yards and RFK is returning to Povich Field this Wednesday July 12. The first 250 fans 12 & under will get a starter set of baseball cards courtesy of Hall of Fame Cards. Author David Kloser will be at Povich Field signing copies of Stepping Up to the Plate: Inspiring Interviews with Major Leaguers. Our sponsor is Bethesda Partners. 7:30 p.m. game with Maryland Redbirds. Gates open at 6 p.m.

CAL SENIOR ALL STAR GAME AT POVICH MONDAY JULY 17
The second annual Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League All Star Game will be played at Povich Field on Monday July 17. Last year, the Montgomery County All Stars (Big Train, Express, and Thunderbolts) defeated the Maryland All Stars (Bombers, Orioles, and Redbirds) 6-3 at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. Tickets sales go to benefit the league so your Big Train Season Passes will not apply to this game or the CRSL playoffs. http://www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/

WANTED: 15 KIDS TO SHAG BALLS AT HOME RUN DERBY
If you are between ten and 14-years-old, we want you to shag balls at the first ever Home Run Derby at a Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Base Ball League All Star Game coming up this Monday July 17. All you need to do is submit a brief essay on "Why I Love Big Train Baseball." 100 words or less by email (just reply to this email). Deadline: Saturday morning July 15 at 10 a.m.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- MONDAY JULY 10
No games Tuesday July 11 Results of Monday July 10 Bethesda Big Train defeated Rockville Express 16-5 at Knights Field College Park Bombers defeated SS-T Thunderbolts 7-2 at Blair Stadium Youse's Orioles defeated Maryland Redbirds 6-1 at Bachman Park

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train 16-9 .640 -- Youse's Orioles 15-9 .625 .5 Rockville Express 13-11 .542 2.5 SS-T Thunderbolts 9-12 .429 5 College Park Bombers 11-15 .423 5.5 Maryland Redbirds 8-16 .333 7.5 The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (7-3), Rockville (4-4), Silver Spring-Takoma (2-6).

BIG TRAIN BEAT EXPRESS MONDAY 16-5
It wasn't your typical low scoring summer college wooden bat league game at Knights Field on Monday afternoon. The Bethesda Big Train scored three runs in the top of the first inning and trailed 4-3 by inning's end. But the Big Train kept scoring and cruised to a 16-5 win over the Express with nine unearned runs courtesy of five Express errors. Every Big Train starter scored and all but one had a hit. Matt Long (Santa Clara) and Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) led the hit parade with three apiece. Starting pitcher Jimmy Saris (Georgetown) gave up a three run home run to Derek Mechling (Duquesne) in the first, but then settled in to complete six innings and leave with a 9-5 advantage. Brian Anderson (San Francisco) pitched three scoreless innings in relief. Mechling was 3-for-4 with a walk and four RBIs for Rockville.

Bethesda Big Train (16-9) 3 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 7 -- 16 15 0
Rockville Express (13-11) 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 -- 5 12 5

WP: Saris (3-1) LP: Smith (1-2)
HR: Mechling (RE)
3B: Pehrson (BBT)
2B: Cleckler (BBT), Dietz (BBT), Orloff (RE)
Attendance: 101
Time: 2 hours 44 minutes

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- MONDAY JULY 10
Results of Monday July 10 Bethesda Big Train defeated Rockville Express 16-5 at Knights Field College Park Bombers defeated SS-T Thunderbolts 7-2 at Blair Stadium Youse's Orioles defeated Maryland Redbirds 6-1 at Bachman Park Regular Season Standings Bethesda Big Train 16-9 .640 -- Youse's Orioles 15-9 .625 .5 Rockville Express 13-11 .542 2.5 SS-T Thunderbolts 9-12 .429 5 College Park Bombers 11-15 .423 5.5 Maryland Redbirds 8-16 .333 7.5 The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (7-3), Rockville (4-4), Silver Spring-Takoma (2-6).

WE GET LETTERS

Bill, Early 1900's, Damn Bill isn't Eastern one of the oldest high schools? Seems Central may have been one of the first. Charlie Sokol and I grew up together and we lived a couple of blocks apart. Charlie lived across from Eastern and I lived like 3 blocks away on A St. S.E. I remember when we were like 10 and played behind the Armory where the stadium is today, and roamed all over the area like DC jail, Gallinger Hospital, now DC General, and also Congressional Cemetery where a lot of congressman from the late 1800's and after are buried. There also was a crematorium next to the DC jail. My older sister graduated in `45. Those neighborhoods throughout DC were really great in those days. Wish my grandchildren had that opportunity. John

Dear John, Eastern was one of the oldest started in the old Hine Jr. H.S. building then moved to present Eastern building. Also Roosevelt was called Business High School back then. Yours and my days were great and we found a lot of things to do and there were no â¤¦gameboysâ¤? or â¤¦Ninendoâ¤? to play. There were pinball machines and we use to run wild on them. Bill

Bill, Any relation to Wee Speiser who pitched for Eastern in the early 40's I believe and later I saw him pitch for Hardesty's Market on the lots just after the war. My cousin George (Linthicum) Walter came back after the war and was a catcher for Hardesty's. That's when they had all those great sandlot players like Jake-The-Snake, Jack Hoffman, Eli Blank, and sure you can name many more. John

Dear John, You got it! Bill

Bill, When you were younger didn't you sell newspapers on the corner of 14th and Webster Streets NW? "Cracker" Downs

Dear "Cracker", Yes I did, the Rogers sisters lived in the house on that corner (Ann and Martha) but I canâ¤t remember you. Bill

Bill, Seems like right after the â¤—53 high school season I went down and worked out with the team he was managing. Seems like it was Atchison & Keller, but eloped with Patsy Loveless and that was the end of my baseball. John

Bill, We had a great time in July, especially at Fagerâ¤s last Friday thanks to all of you who came and enjoyed a sunset party with us. Here is where we will be during the rest of the month:
Friday, July 21, 6-10PM, On the Deck at Fagerâ¤s Island in Ocean City, 60th St. on the Bay, (888) 371-5400 http://www.fagers.com/restaurant
Saturday, July 22 â¤³ Private Party, Ocean Pines, MD
Sunday, July 23, 4-8 â¤³ Dock of the Bay, Millers Island â¤³410-477-8100, http://mywebpages.comcast.net/lthanner/dock/index.html Friday, July 28, 4-8 Happy Hour, Looneyâ¤s, Belair â¤³ 410-803-7080 http://looneyspubbelair.homestead.com/Title.html
Saturday, July 29 10AM-2PM â¤³ Brits by the Bay Car Show at Downs Park, Pasadena, MD http://www.tracltd.org/BBTB/BBTB06/BBTB06.html
Evening â¤³ Private Crab Feast
Hope to see you there, Steve Ports, David Bell, Don Wimbrough and Bill Fritz

Steve, Have a great summer! Bill

Bill, Thanks so very much Bill for those inspiring, and true, words. Your gift of writing is such a blessing to so many. I will also watch the Boston Pops, and the DC concert of course, and New York. My daughter Dr. Rhonda is spending her first Fourth in Connecticut and she so loves everything about New England. Will watch fireworks here from my balcony and thank God for the gift of the freedoms we so uniquely enjoy as I remember that "freedom is never, ever free." Love in Him, Dale

P.S. thanks for the reminder of respect for the Office of President of the United States tho I do support President Bush and truly in my spirit believe he is God's Man we have always respected the Office for itself even when Bill Clinton was trashing the White House, the Office of the Presidency and himself and his family we just continued to pray for him and I believe folks still do.

Dale, Thank you for the kind comments. Bill

Bill, Hello to all--Bob McConnell needs info on the 1905 OH-PA league. It began as an independent league, then joined the national association--should the independent games be counted-- some records need clarification. Contact Bob at-- HomerBobMcC@aol.com All the Best John

Bill, Great column as usual. Cannot believe some people who are ready to trash Bush and the republicans when you mention that Clinton lied to a Grand Jury and got off with little or no damage, but Lil Kim also lied to a Grand Jury and received 8 months in the pokey and have nothing to say. Some people need to get over that they Lost. It seems to be that now and then a Republican is President and now and then a Democrat! Fred

Dear Fred, Right on! Bill

Dear Bill, In reference to Mr. Barve's statement on showing respect to Mr. Clinton, respect is something earned, not given. He sullied the position and lost respect. On that note, I do feel the press, including TV, should not have said anything about his immoral behavior. That should have been kept under wraps and private. That's like going out and telling dirty little secrets on your family. The press used to have more integrity and never mentioned affairs, i.e., Mr. Roosevelt's affair, Gen Eisenhower's affair, etc. Mr. Clinton WAS the President of the U.S. at the time and his position, if not him, deserved respect, just my humble opinion. Marlene G.

Dear Marlene, Your opinion is always welcomed. Bill

SPORTS NOTES

When in Southern Maryland former State Senator Frank Shore and I get our pizza at Mama Leone's Brick Oven Pizza. Frank especially likes their new pizza buffet. Mama Leone's is located in the Callaway Village Center.

The Negro League Legends Hall of Fame will hold a press conference at the Bannecker-Douglass museum in Annapolis, Maryland at 10:00 a.m. on August 17th and on the 18th of August the NLLHOF's Golf Tournament will be held at the Marlborough Golf with the first tee off at 7:00 a.m. Save the dates for these two events.

On July 22-23rd the "Bash at Rash" comes to Baltimore Rash Field in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. This is a Beach Soccer Tournament for youth and adults, ages 9-90, and features 5 on 5 games. It also features demonstrations and skill contests besides the games. Time each day 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For information call Jessica Galindo at 410-962-7070 or on the net at www.asgsports.com.

Coming up on Jake Smithâ¤s Baltimore Pro Boxing at the Ocean City Convention Center, Jesse Nicklow, Tony Cygon, Harry Mays and a host of other top fighters. Fight date is August 12th.

Sean Heartless is an up and coming pro wrestler.

The Charles County School Board race has an excellent first time candidate in Ron Stover. He's been a great coach in the Charles County school system as well as an outstanding administrator.

I like Roy Dyson in his re-election race for State Senate in Southern Maryland. He backs sports on all levels and is a great supporter of transportation.

How could the Washington Capitals let an outstanding local talent like Jess Halpern get away? He is from the DC area, classy and Caps team Captain. This is rebuilding? Halpern goes to Dallas with a four year deal. Another top player Brian Wallace left just recently for the LA Kings. It more looks like a team tear down by GM George McPhee and owner Ted Leonsis. Next to want out from under the Caps I predict will be Alex Ovechkin or maybe the team will be sold to Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale who will move the team to Baltimore â¤³ What's the â¤¦Sports Chickâ¤? going to do then?

Also how did the Chicago Sky of the WNBA end up with Stacy Dales the former mystics All-Star who has dropped the Schuman part of her name.

Why is Jose Canseco still around baseball and getting media space and don't tell me he is still a player and news. He's washed up and is not a news item anymore, he went off the board when Madonna dumped him.

Hey, you ever hear of Leo "The Lip" Durocher, Rogers Hornsby, Casey Stengel? They'd make Ozzie Guillen look like and sound like a Sunday School. Come on you jerks, enough is enough. Its just like Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, he says what you all think and are afraid to say.

Diversity is great if it is used in a meaningful way and the way it was meant to be. Is Ozzie Guillen any different than you? Just think about it.

Doc Walker continues to do a great job on â¤¦Pro-Viewâ¤? and he and John Thompson do a great job on their daily (3to 5 pm) show on Sports Talk 980. but that other guy they have on their daily show should go back to bar tending on Pennsylvania Ave on the hill, what was the place â¤¦the Hawk and Daveâ¤? oh well he is very forgettable.

I wonder where Gordon Lynch, Dean Ashbaugh, Joann Briggs, Bob Roberts, Gerry Cox, Lynda Calhoun, Eleanor Runge, Bette Wisecarver, Margie Gernhofer and Pat Hayes are today?

On Saturday, July 22nd you can take a tour of Richmondâ¤s present and past ballparks. The day will start at 1:00 p.m. with a behind the scenes look at the Diamond, then join SABRâ¤s own Scott P. Mayer, co-author of â¤¦Baseball and Richmondâ¤?, on a bus tour detailing Richmondâ¤s rich baseball history. Cost is $20 for adults. The bus returns to the Diamond around 4:00 p.m. leaving plenty of time for folks to grab dinner and then catch the Richmond Braves host the Indianapolis Indians at 7:00 p.m.

Sorry to hear of June Allyson passing.

Great to hear the Ted Lerners group are cutting in half 2,000 ticket prices and reducing some concession prices for Washington Nationals home games and installing some other perks for the fans.

Our deepest sympathy goes to Harry and Chris Chaconas and the Chaconas family on the death of their mother Anastasia â¤¦Tasiaâ¤? Chaconas who passed on July8th. Both Chris and Harry went to Roosevelt HS in DC. Harry later worked for C&P and Verizon while Chris owned a florist store in Arlington, Virginia.

I hope Kinky Friedman wins the Governors race in Texas.

BAYSOX REPORT

BAYSOX LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN SERIES OPENER, 4-3

On Friday night, the Baysox failed to gain any ground on the Harrisburg Senators as the visitors nabbed the first of four games in Bowie 4-3 in front of 4,811 fans who were in attendance for the Baysox postponed Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Harrisburg only collected two runs off Baysox starter Beau Hale, who left the game with a 3-2 lead but the Senators were able to score two more off reliever Richard Stahl to take a 4-3 lead in the 7th inning.

Ryan Hubele (pictured) put the Baysox on the board first with his fourth home run of the season in the 2nd inning, but Harrisburg would bounce back in the 4th as Melvin Dorta led off the inning with a triple to right-center and scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1. Hale found himself in a jam later in the frame with runners on the corners but got Salomon Manriquez to swing at strike three to end the threat.

Harrisburg then used two singles and a sac fly to score the go-ahead run in the top of the 5th inning but the Baysox would regain the lead in the bottom half of the 6th.

After a lengthy at bat, Chris Gomez drew a walk, Bryan Bass singled Gomez over to second, who scouried to third on a long fly ball off the bat of Cory Keylor. With runners on the corners during RaÃºl Chavez' at bat, the Senators starter, Oscar Alvarez, threw a pitch in the dirt that got away from Manriquez, allowing Gomez to scamper in from third and Bass to advance to second. Following the wild pitch, Bass scored on Chavez' RBI single to right field to take a 3-2 lead.

But in the see-saw battle, Harrisburg collected two more runs on three hits off of Stahl in the 7th for the 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the 9th the Baysox made it interesting as Jeff Fiorentino pinch hit for Hubele. The newest member of the Baysox, Todd Donovan then pinch ran for Fiorentino and promptly stole second and third base during Gera Alvarez' at bat. After Alvarez drew a walk, pinch hitter Dustin Yount strolled to the plate and ended the Baysox biggest threat of the evening by swinging at a pitch in the dirt.

SHIER A HOMER SHY OF CYCLE, BAYSOX COLLECT 18 HITS IN 13-3 ROUT
Baysox Bats Pop In 13-3 Rout Of Harrisburg Twenty-four hours after losing a heartbreaker to the Harrisburg Senators, the Bowie Baysox unleashed on the visiting team with 13 runs on 18 hits in a 13-3 rout of the third place Senators, in front of a crowd of 8,134 the seventh largest in 2006.

Noah Hall homered twice and the Baysox sent 11 men to the plate in the 4th inning as Eric DuBose picked up his fourth straight win as a starter for Bowie.

After both Chris Gomez and Bryan Bass reached safely in the bottom of the 1st inning, the Baysox scored the first three runs of the game compliments of Hall's first home run of the game.

Harrisburg came back with one run in the top of the 4th, but Senators' starter David Maust would not see the end of the 4th inning as he gave up six runs on five hits. Hall singled up the middle to get the hitting fest started and was followed by catcher Ryan Hubele beating out a bunt single to put two runners on. Dustin Yount hit a weak single into left field that loaded the bags and then Maust walked Rayner Bautista to plate Hall.

After a coaching visit to the mound, Pete Shier drove the first pitch into the right field corner that caromed around allowing Shier to head into third with his first triple of the season and the tenth of his career. Gomez followed Shier with an RBI single. Maust was relieved by Jason Norderum who was able to retire the Baysox without any more damage.

The bottom of the 5th saw the Baysox score two more runs on the bats of Shier and Gomez. Shier and Gomez both singled to right and Bass doubled in Shier. Gomez scored the Baysox eleventh run of the game as Jeff Fiorentino beat out an infield single plating Gomez.

DuBose gave up just one run in the 8th inning but the Baysox were not done scoring.

In the 8th inning, Harrisburg moved their second baseman, Dan Dement, to the mound. Dement's first pitch to Hall resulted in the outfielder's second home run of the evening - a monster blast that cleared the wall in left field. Shier drove in Hubele for the Baysox 13th run of the game.

It was only the third time all season the Baysox have scored more than 10 runs in a game and the 13 runs were the most scored in any game this season.

Shier, who was a home run shy of the cycle, was 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI while Gomez was 3-for-6 with 3 runs scored and an RBI. Alongside his 2 home runs, Hall ended the night 4-for-5 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI. Everybody aside from Leo Daigle collected at least one hit in the rout.

8,134 were on hand for the Baysox "Beach Night" and enjoyed a fireworks show following another Baysox jersey auction. During the game the players wore blue jerseys with a parrot on a hawaiian floral print. Once again fans were able to silently bid on the players jerseys during the game and collect them off the player's backs following the game.

KEYLOR TIES FRANCHISE SINGLE GAME RBI MARK OF EIGHT, BAYSOX WIN 10-7
Keylor Leads Baysox With Hot Bat, First Grand Slam of Season
On Sunday evening 4,793 were on hand, including Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Mike Flanagan and Vice President of Baseball Operations, Jim Duquette, to watch Orioles pitcher Hayden Penn return to Bowie to make a rehab start as he recovers from a bout with appendicitis.

Those in attendance were witness to a high-scoring, record-setting performance as the Baysox improved their record with a 10-7 victory at Prince George's Stadium. But they would have to come from behind to gain any ground on the Senators. Harrisburg didn't seem to intimidated by Penn as former Baysox outfielder Tim Raines, Jr. led off with a single up the middle and scored on a two run shot that jumped off the bat of Kory Casto for a quick 2-0 Harrisburg lead. With two outs in the 1st inning, Penn ran into trouble again as he walked the next two batters but got Rich Lane to swing at an excellent breaking ball to end the Senators scoring drive.

Penn calmed down in the 2nd inning, retiring all three batters he faced, giving his offense the chance to catch the Senators. However, that would be all for Penn, as he was held to only 41 pitches in his rehab start. James Johnson came in to relieve Penn in the 3rd frame and had a difficult time locating his pitches, walking two in a row before Josh Whitesell lined a pitch into center field scoring the Senators third run of the game.

The Baysox came back strong in the bottom half of the 3rd with two of their own to cut the lead to just one. Bryan Bass drew a lead off walk and Jeff Fiorentino doubled to left field. Bass scored on a Cory Keylor sacrifice fly. After Noah Hall walked, RaÃºl Chavez knocked in Fiorentino with his sixth RBI of the season. Harrisburg threatened again in the top of the 4th inning with the bases loaded and two outs but after running the count full, Johnson was able to blow strike three past Casto to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 4th , Gera Alvarez, Bass and Fiorentino all found their way onto the basepaths to load the bags with just one out. After Harrisburg made a pitching change, Keylor drilled the first pitch he saw from Devin Perrin to the deepest part of the ballpark for a 410' grand slam - the first of the season for the Baysox and the first since Brandon Fahey hit one against Altoona on August 24 of last year. With the nine men the Baysox sent to the plate, the Baysox batted around in the 4th inning for the second consecutive night.

In the 5th inning the Senators added one more off Johnson on two hits but the Baysox increased their lead by one with two more in the bottom half of the 5th. Pete Shier singled on a line drive to center field, and with one out both Bass and Fiorentino walked again for the second consecutive inning - which brought Keylor to the plate with the bases loaded once again. Instead of smacking his second grand slam of the evening, Keylor drove a low pitch up the middle, scoring Shier and Bass for an 8-4 lead.

Casto tripled off the center field wall scoring Raines, Jr. and Casto scored on Redman's RBI single as the Senators attempted to come back from their four run deficit in the 6th. Johnson would hold them to just those two runs but the Baysox kept the scoring alive in the bottom of the 6th.

Yount started off the inning with a double down the left field line, moved to third on Rayner Bautista's grounder up the middle, and scored on a Shier sacrifice fly to increase their run total to nine. In the 7th inning Keylor drove in Fiorentino, who had singled, with a double to left-center as the Baysox took a 10-6 lead. With the double, Keylor tied former Baysox first baseman Doug Gredvig with eight RBI in a single game. Gredvig amassed his total almost four years ago to the day on July 15, 2002 at Altoona.

Marino Salas entered with a three run lead in the top of the 9th looking for his 16th save of the season. The Dominican righthander retired all three batters he faced to notch the win for Johnson and secure the save for himself. In the 3:26 contest, the Baysox walked nine times while the pitching staff also allowed nine walks - a season high for the overworked bullpen staff.

Keylor finished his record-tying performance 4-for-4 with eight of the Baysox ten RBI and a grand slam. Both Fiorentino and Bass walked three times and crossed the plate three times. With one game to go before the All-Star break, the Baysox have amassed a total of 23 runs on 33 hits in the past two games. Baysox Manager Don Werner said after the game, "I really like the team right now. The additions of [Dustin] Yount, Bass, [Todd] Donovan, and Shier have really helped us out a lot."

ON DECK: Harrisburg and Bowie duke it out Monday evening in the final game of the four game series. RHP Brian Finch is scheduled to face fellow righthander Beltran Perez.

HARRISBURG TAKES SERIES FINALE, 6-3
Harrisburg Manufactures 6-3 Win At Bowie
After dropping 23 runs on the Harrisburg Senators the previous two evenings, the Baysox struggled to get three off Sens starter Beltran Perez. The visitors had their biggest inning of the series in the 4th frame on Monday night, putting up four runs to jump out to a 5-3 lead that they would not relinquish.

Baysox starter Brian Finch looked great early on but Harrisburg was extremely eager on the base paths as they stole bases and manufactured runs by "small ball." Finch left the game in the 5th inning with the bases loaded and reliever Jason Pearson finished the inning but not before the Senators collected their fifth run.

On the offensive side of the game, the Baysox scored once in the 3rd and two more in the 4th.

In the 3rd inning with the bases loaded, Gera Alvarez (pictured) scored as outfielder Jeff Fiorentino reached on a fielder's choice. After Harrisburg scored once in the top of the 4th, Bowie took the lead with two in the inning.

Noah Hall led off the frame with an infield single and after Hall stole second base and reached third on a throwing error, Leo Daigle followed the Eastern League All-Star with a walk. Dustin Yount knocked in Hall with a sacrifice fly and Daigle would eventually come around to score on a wild pitch and an RBI single compliments of Alvarez.

Although they had a one run lead, the Senators came storming back in the top of the 5th with four of their own and another in the 8th off Carlos Jan for a three run lead.

In the 9th the Baysox were unable to comeback from their three run deficit as they fell to the Senators by the score of 6-3 in front of 2,143 at Prince George's Stadium.

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!!