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Sports Briefs: Softball officials to distance sport from baseball
By The Associated Press
Friday, October 31, 2008 | No comments posted.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Softball’s world governing body told its members they must break their ties with baseball to help the sport get back into the Olympics.
The International Softball Federation has asked 35 of its 131 national bodies that are affiliated with other sports to become independent and present a stronger identity to the Olympic movement.
Softball and baseball are competing to be restored to the 2016 Olympics after both were voted off the London 2012 program by the International Olympic Committee. Softball officials say their sport has been hurt by baseball’s doping scandals and inability to ensure the participation of top players in the Olympics.
BASEBALL
Macha tapped as managerof Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE — Ken Macha was hired as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, taking over the role from Dale Sveum following the team’s first postseason appearance since 1982.
The 58-year-old Macha took the Oakland Athletics to a pair of AL West titles but had an odd relationship with general manager Billy Beane and lost his job after the 2005 season for a week only to return in 2006.
Bush congratulates Phillies for World Series win
WASHINGTON — President Bush has called the president of the Philadelphia Phillies to congratulate the National League team on winning this year’s World Series.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that Bush talked to David Montgomery, the Phillies’ president, on Thursday morning. She said he “offered his congratulations and said how exciting it must be for him, the team, and for all of the fans.”
World Series drew record-low TV ratings
NEW YORK — A small-market team and a short series often are guarantees of low television ratings for sports in this age of fractured audiences. The 2008 World Series added to that double whammy the disjointing impact of a long rain delay and a suspended game.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ five-game victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Fox drew record-low ratings. The series averaged an 8.4 rating and 14 share, the network said Thursday. That’s down 17 percent from the previous low, a 10.1 for the five-game Cardinals-Tigers series in 2006.
DOPING
Greek hurdler faces two years in jail for doping
ATHENS, Greece — Former Greek Olympic hurdles champion Fani Halkia was charged with steroid use, an offense that carries a penalty of two years in jail.
Halkia’s coach, George Panagiotopoulos, was also charged Friday by a Greek prosecutor with administering banned substances and faces up to three years in prison and a fine of $26,070 if convicted.
Halkia, the 2004 Athens Olympic 400-meter hurdles champion, was expelled from the Beijing Games this year after testing positive for the steroid methyltrienolone.
BASKETBALL
All-Star game scheduled in Cowboys stadium in 2010
DALLAS — The NBA All-Star game is coming to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in 2010 and plenty of good seats are available — more than 100,000.
Living up to the old adage about doing things bigger in Texas, the Dallas Mavericks and Cowboys are collaborating on hosting next season’s showcase event. It will be among the first major events at the soon-to-be-completed, $1.1 billion facility in nearby Arlington.
Lakers extend Andrew Bynum’s contract
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Lakers signed Andrew Bynum to a contract extension, removing the possibility the 21-year-old center would become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NFL
Henry pleads not guilty on cocaine charges
BILLINGS, Mont. — Former NFL running back Travis Henry and a co-defendant pleaded not guilty to federal cocaine trafficking charges.
The 30-year-old Henry was arrested during an undercover drug sting in the Denver area on Sept. 30 along with 29-year-old James Mack of Bow Mar, Colo. Authorities say the two plotted to supply cocaine to customers in the Billings area. Both men are out on bond.
SOCCER
Beckham with AC MIlan during MLS offseason
MILAN, Italy — David Beckham will join AC Milan in January on a three-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy to maintain his fitness and prolong his England career.
The former England will begin Jan. 7, but he will rejoin his Galaxy teammates in March.
Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said an agreement was reached Thursday with Beckham’s lawyers, although a contract is still to be written.
The 33-year-old midfielder is eager to play in Europe during the MLS offseason to remain fit and available for selection for England, which plays an exhibition at Germany on Nov. 19 before World Cup 2010 qualifying resumes in March.
The International Softball Federation has asked 35 of its 131 national bodies that are affiliated with other sports to become independent and present a stronger identity to the Olympic movement.
Softball and baseball are competing to be restored to the 2016 Olympics after both were voted off the London 2012 program by the International Olympic Committee. Softball officials say their sport has been hurt by baseball’s doping scandals and inability to ensure the participation of top players in the Olympics.
BASEBALL
Macha tapped as managerof Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE — Ken Macha was hired as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, taking over the role from Dale Sveum following the team’s first postseason appearance since 1982.
The 58-year-old Macha took the Oakland Athletics to a pair of AL West titles but had an odd relationship with general manager Billy Beane and lost his job after the 2005 season for a week only to return in 2006.
Bush congratulates Phillies for World Series win
WASHINGTON — President Bush has called the president of the Philadelphia Phillies to congratulate the National League team on winning this year’s World Series.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that Bush talked to David Montgomery, the Phillies’ president, on Thursday morning. She said he “offered his congratulations and said how exciting it must be for him, the team, and for all of the fans.”
World Series drew record-low TV ratings
NEW YORK — A small-market team and a short series often are guarantees of low television ratings for sports in this age of fractured audiences. The 2008 World Series added to that double whammy the disjointing impact of a long rain delay and a suspended game.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ five-game victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Fox drew record-low ratings. The series averaged an 8.4 rating and 14 share, the network said Thursday. That’s down 17 percent from the previous low, a 10.1 for the five-game Cardinals-Tigers series in 2006.
DOPING
Greek hurdler faces two years in jail for doping
ATHENS, Greece — Former Greek Olympic hurdles champion Fani Halkia was charged with steroid use, an offense that carries a penalty of two years in jail.
Halkia’s coach, George Panagiotopoulos, was also charged Friday by a Greek prosecutor with administering banned substances and faces up to three years in prison and a fine of $26,070 if convicted.
Halkia, the 2004 Athens Olympic 400-meter hurdles champion, was expelled from the Beijing Games this year after testing positive for the steroid methyltrienolone.
BASKETBALL
All-Star game scheduled in Cowboys stadium in 2010
DALLAS — The NBA All-Star game is coming to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in 2010 and plenty of good seats are available — more than 100,000.
Living up to the old adage about doing things bigger in Texas, the Dallas Mavericks and Cowboys are collaborating on hosting next season’s showcase event. It will be among the first major events at the soon-to-be-completed, $1.1 billion facility in nearby Arlington.
Lakers extend Andrew Bynum’s contract
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Lakers signed Andrew Bynum to a contract extension, removing the possibility the 21-year-old center would become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NFL
Henry pleads not guilty on cocaine charges
BILLINGS, Mont. — Former NFL running back Travis Henry and a co-defendant pleaded not guilty to federal cocaine trafficking charges.
The 30-year-old Henry was arrested during an undercover drug sting in the Denver area on Sept. 30 along with 29-year-old James Mack of Bow Mar, Colo. Authorities say the two plotted to supply cocaine to customers in the Billings area. Both men are out on bond.
SOCCER
Beckham with AC MIlan during MLS offseason
MILAN, Italy — David Beckham will join AC Milan in January on a three-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy to maintain his fitness and prolong his England career.
The former England will begin Jan. 7, but he will rejoin his Galaxy teammates in March.
Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said an agreement was reached Thursday with Beckham’s lawyers, although a contract is still to be written.
The 33-year-old midfielder is eager to play in Europe during the MLS offseason to remain fit and available for selection for England, which plays an exhibition at Germany on Nov. 19 before World Cup 2010 qualifying resumes in March.
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