Sports – Page 555 – North Platte Post Archive

Rockies Score 3 in 11th, Hold off Dodgers 5-4

Posted on April 26, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charlie Blackmon hit an RBI single in the 11th inning and the Colorado Rockies got home runs from Troy Tulowitzki and Corey Dickerson to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Friday night.

Adam Ottavino took over in the eighth for Rockies starter Jordan Lyles as a steady drizzle sent many in the crowd of 44,866 for cover. Ottavino retired the side in order before Boone Logan struck out his first two batters in the ninth — including Matt Kemp, who was ejected by umpire Angel Hernandez for arguing a called third strike.

It was Kemp’s seventh career ejection and the Dodgers’ first this season.

The drizzle had turned into a downpour by the 10th. Brandon Barnes pinch-hit for reliever Rex Brothers (2-2) with one out in the 11th and doubled to right field against Jamey Wright (1-1).

Female Athlete Joins Legal Fight Against NCAA

Posted on April 26, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a lawsuit filed in Minneapolis federal court on Friday, former Kennesaw State basketball player Ashley Holliday became what is believed to be the first woman to be a named plaintiff in an antitrust action against the NCAA.

The complaint, filed by Zelle Hofman, alleges that full scholarships granted by the NCAA do not cover the full cost of attending college.

The lawsuit cites studies alleging full-scholarship athletes often fall $3,000 to $5,000 short of what it takes to go to school while limiting an athlete’s avenues for making up the difference. The class-action lawsuit, similar to others around the country, is comprised of men’s and women’s football and basketball players who were given full scholarships.

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shariff Floyd is among the other named plaintiffs.

No Clear Consensus on Best Spring Game Format

Posted on April 26, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State let its players choose up sides for the Spartans’ annual spring football game, like a group of kids meeting up on the playground. Arkansas State auctioned off one of its coaching spots on eBay, allowing a fan to come in and call plays.

Oklahoma State scaled back its plans, inviting fans to watch a practice instead of a scrimmage.

Spring games have become offseason highlights in many parts of the country. Alabama and Penn State announced crowds of over 70,000 this year, and they certainly aren’t the only schools with fans who will turn out in droves for their football fix. But for coaches, these public scrimmages present an interesting challenge — in part because there seems to be no consensus on what format works best.

Baseball Will Look at Pine Tar Rule After Season

Posted on April 26, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says the sport will wait until after the season to study whether the rule preventing pitchers from using pine tar should be changed.

New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda was suspended for 10 games Thursday, a day after umpires found pine tar on his neck during a game against Boston. Pineda said he was trying to get a better grip on balls on a cool night, and pitchers say they suspect pine tar use may be routine — although usually discreet.

Baseball rules prohibit pitchers from using foreign substances.

“When the year is over, we ought to look at all this,” Selig told the Associated Press Sports Editors on Friday.

No, No: Illinois School Puts up Pair of No-Hitters

Posted on April 26, 2014

HARDIN, Ill. (AP) — Not again!

Calhoun High School in the small southwestern Illinois town of Hardin pulled off a pair of no-hitters Thursday over Greenfield High School.

According to The Telegraph in Alton (https://bit.ly/QLEdLY), the Warriors baseball team blanked Greenfield 9-0. Pitcher Mitch Bick struck out 18 and walked one.

Classmate Grace Baalman threw a no-hitter for the Warriors softball team in its 10-0 win over Greenfield. Baalman struck out nine over five innings and didn’t walk anyone. The lone Greenfield batter to reach base (on an error) was picked off.

Hardin is about 40 miles north of St. Louis.

MLB Clarifies Possession on DP Forceouts

Posted on April 25, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball clarified the meaning of possession for infielders trying to turn double plays on forceouts, saying they must have complete control of the ball but may drop it after intentionally opening their gloves for transfers to their throwing hands.

In the first season of expanded instant replay, when infielders have possession while trying to turn double plays has become controversial.

Major League Baseball said the interpretation of the Playing Rules Committee was agreed to by MLB, the players’ association and the umpires’ union.

MLB said Friday the committee, chaired by New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, determined “a legal catch has occurred … if the fielder had complete control over the ball in his glove, but drops the ball after intentionally opening his glove to make the transfer to his throwing hand.”

Lady Bulldogs Volleyball Skills Camp Scheduled for May

Posted on April 25, 2014

The North Platte High School volleyball team will host its NPHS Summer Volleyball Skills Camp next month.

The camp will take place inside the Dawg House at North Platte High School, May 20-22. Volleyball skills will be taught to girls going into 3rd-9th grades. The 3rd-5th graders will report from 9:00-11:00 am with the 6th-9th graders reporting from 1:00-3:30 pm.

Camp brochures can be picked up at any of the sporting good stores in North Platte or at the North Platte High School activities office. Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is greatly appreciated. The cost is $30 and includes a t-shirt.

Proceeds from the camp will held the volleyball players at North Platte High School attend their summer camps. For more information you can contact the Bulldogs head coach Laura Miller at lmiller@nppsd.org or 308-530-7841.

Broncos Close Training Camp to Fans, Open Stadium

Posted on April 25, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are closing their training camp to fans this summer because of ongoing construction at team headquarters. Instead, they’ll have three open practices at their stadium.

The Broncos’ Dove Practice facilities are undergoing a $35 million face-lift that includes the installation of an indoor practice facility and renovations to the existing complex, a project that won’t be finished in time for training camp in July.

Team president Joe Ellis said the construction presents safety and logistical issues, so the team decided to close workouts and instead will host three practices at Sports Authority Field instead of one.

Those will be July 27 and 30 and Aug. 2 for the annual summer scrimmage.

Wild Even Series at 2 with 2-1 Win vs. Avalanche

Posted on April 25, 2014

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Charlie Coyle scored his third goal of the series for Minnesota, and the Wild dominated the Colorado Avalanche for the second straight game on their way to a 2-1 win Thursday night that evened the first-round matchup at two apiece.

The Wild outshot the Avalanche a stunning 32-12, establishing a franchise record for fewest allowed by Minnesota. Colorado has been outshot 78-34 in the last two games, with Ryan O’Reilly getting the only goal.

Jared Spurgeon used a slap shot to get a puck past Colorado’s Semyon Varlamov just 3:47 into the game, much quicker than the 65:08 the Wild needed to score the last time. Game 5 will be in Denver on Saturday night.

Known for Glove, Nolan Arenado Improving at Plate

Posted on April 24, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Already known for his hit-robbing glove, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is working on becoming more of an all-around player.

He sends Troy Tulowitzki batting practice video for evaluation and has cool hitting conversations with Justin Morneau in the cold tub.

The education of Arenado as a hitter is coming along quite well, with the second-year player off to a sizzling start at the plate. He’s in the midst of a 14-game hitting streak that’s elevated his average to .290 and his place in the batting order to the second spot.

Colorado opens a three-game trip to Los Angeles on Friday with a chance to take over first place in the NL West.