Newspaper Page Text
2B
♦ FRIDAY, MARCH ,2005
Outside
the
‘Home’
Firm makes Hi bid
(Toronto Globe and Mail) - A
company that has been involved
in financing multiple sales of
National Hockey League fran
chises was part of a pitch at
the league’s board of governors
meeting this week to buy the
league outright.
Sources confirm that Game Plan
LLC, which helped facilitate the
sale of the Ottawa Senators to
Eugene Melnyk in the spring of
2003, along with Bain Capital,
made a 20-minute purchase pre
sentation, offering just more than
SIOO-million a team, for a total of
more than $3-billion for the entire
league.
“We have no comment at this
time," said Colin Vataha, a senior
associate with Game Plan.
Under the proposed plan, the
NHL would be operated as one
company with franchise outlets,
much like those in the retail indus
try.
In theory, such a structure
would allow the league to get
around one of the biggest hur
dles in creating a new economic
order: the vast discrepancies in
revenue from market to market
and the steadfast refusal of the
wealthy clubs to share significant
amounts with those near the bot
tom of the ladder.
It would also allow the league
to write its financial landscape
from scratch, potentially paving
the way to end the six-month
old lockout of members of the
National Hockey League Players'
Association.
NHL executive vice-president
Bill Daly was cautious in describ
ing the level of interest the pro
posal received from around the
governors’ table.
“I'm not going to characterize
it,” Daly said. “I would imagine dif
ferent clubs had different feelings.
The board listened to a presenta
tion and that’s about it.”
Cowboys sign Ferguson
IRVING, Texas (AP) - The
Dallas Cowboys signed defen
sive tackle Jason Ferguson from
the New York Jets and guard
Marco Rivera from Green Bay.
The Cowboys spent S2B mil
lion in signing bonuses alone on
Ferguson, Rivera and corner
back Anthony Henry, who signed
Wednesday.
Sants Ink Pierce to deal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
(AP) - The New York Giants
signed free agent middle line
backer Antonio Pierce, who
emerged as a top defender for
Washington last season in his first
year as a starter. Pierce agreed to
a six-year, $26 million contract.
The Giants also released veteran
receiver and former first-round
draft pick Ike Hilliard.
Panniers get aggressive
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The
Carolina Panthers signed offen
sive lineman Mike Wahle and cor
nerback Ken Lucas to long-term
contracts, the most aggressive
single day of free agent acquisi
tions in franchise history.
Wahle, who spent seven sea
sons in Green Bay, signed a five
year deal worth about $25 mil
lion. Lucas, a three-year starter
in Seattle, signed a six-year con
tract.
Patten, Redskins strike deal
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - The
Washington Redskins agreed to
terms with free agent receiver
David Patten. Patten caught 44
passes for 800 yards and seven
touchdowns last season for
the Super Bowl champion New
England Patriots and will be a
candidate to replace Rod Gardner
at the No. 2 receiver spot.
Pats acqure Starks
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - The New
England Patriots acquired cor
nerback Duane Starks from the
Arizona Cardinals in exchange
a third-round draft pick this year.
The teams also exchanged fifth
round picks as part of the deal.
Starks signed a five-year, $23 mil
lion free agent contract with the
Cardinals in 2002, leaving then-
Super Bowl champion Baltimore
Ravens.
Canseco invited by House
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former
slugger Jose Canseco and sev
eral players he has accused of
joining him in abusing steroids
have been invited to testify before
a House committee.
Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chair
man of the House Government
Reform Committee, and the top
Democrat on the panel, Rep.
Henry Waxman of California,
announced that they were inviting
Canseco and six other former or
active players, including Jason
Giambi and Mark McGwire, to
testify at a March 17 hearing.
SEC to test instant replay
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)-The
Southeastern Conference will use
instant replay on an experimental
basis during league games for the
2005 season. University presi
dents and chancello r s approved
the change on, a day after athletic
directors voted for it.
Koh overcomes injury
to close for Braves
By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - When
Dan Kolb shredded his elbow,
he figured that was just one
of the hazards of the job.
When he blew out a muscle
in his forearm, he began to
wonder if he was jinxed.
When he tore his rotator
cuff, he fretted that his base
ball career was over.
“I was not ready to give it
up,” Kolb said. “But in the
back of my mind, I knew
I might not have a choice.
One more year of injuries,
all that stuff, and I was done.
I don’t think my arm could
have taken it.”
Kolb persevered - and look
how far he’s come in two
short years. He’s now the
closer for the powerhouse
Atlanta Braves, a key player
on a team seeking its 14th
straight division title.
“I, for one, can vouch
that the closer is one of the
most important pitchers on
the team,” said starter Tim
Hudson, who pitched last
season for Oakland, a team
that struggled to find some
one who could finish games.
“It doesn’t matter how
good you pitch before the
ninth inning,” Hudson said.
“It you don’t have someone
to nail it down, you’re not
going to win many games.”
The Braves had one of the
best in the business over the
last three years. John Smoltz
saved 144 games during
that span, but he yearned to
return to the starting rota
tion.
Kolb clearly has some big
spikes to fill.
“I can pretend it’s not there,
but it’s really there,” he said.
“I’m sure in the first month
of so, I’ll be under the micro
scope. People will talk about
the way John did things, how
good he was in this role. All
I can do is my best and hope
it’s good enough.”
... y.-~ .. -•-- V,* - ♦ (»- '. *7
SERSEY
From page 1B
belt out their tunes, singing
from the diaphragm.
Whatever it is, fans must
understand that they can’t
do anything that might dis
rupt the harmony of the
opponent.
Last Friday was a bad
night for the Locos.' Many
arrived for the girls’ game
that preceded the Houston
County/Stephenson boys
game. Stephenson’s girls
were trouncing somebody
and the Locos got in a few
practice jeers to get the lungs
and other parts in shape for
the upcoming Stephenson/
Houston County boys game.
They tried to verbally dis
rupt one of the Stephenson
girls’ foul shot but she made
it anyway, held her hand to
her ear and encouraged the
Locos to try again. They did,
to no avail. She made the
second shot.
It was a sign of things to
come.
During the season, the
Locos tried air horns, which
were rightfully confiscated.
They then resorted to pound
ing on overturned buckets.
I gave them a “10” for
noise and rhythm, but a “5”
for creativity because the
melody never changed.
We have become so politi
cally correct that we must
avoid offending anyone while
we try to beat their brains
out on the court, diamond,
links or field.
I haven’t figured out how
the letter “D” and fence sign
could cause some poor child
to lose his self-confidence
and cost his team the game,
and God forbid somebody
came to a game and had
fun.
It won’t be long before
the bureaucrats realize the
people can shout at inoppor
tune times and thus cause a
mental fugue.
I can imagine a future
where there is total silence.
It might hurt the visiting
team’s feelings if someone
were to cheer against it.
That wasn’t the only rule
That Kolb would even
be considered as Smoltz’s
replacement can largely be
attributed to an awakening
on the mound.
At the urging of Brewers
pitching coach Mike Maddux
- the older brother of former
Braves star Greg Maddux
- Kolb learned that taking a
little off his fastball gave him
better control, which allowed
him to use fewer pitches,
which put less strain on his
arm.
The results for lowly
Milwaukee were stunning:
He had 21 saves in 2003 and
39 last season, making the
All-Star team. Those num
bers drew the attention of
the Braves, who agreed to
surrender top pitching pros
pect Jose Capellan.
Kolb keeps things simple,
relying almost entirely on a
fastball that once reached 98
mph but is now thrown in
the low 90s.
“It’s not a lot, but it’s just
enough to help my control,”
Kolb said. “If I throw a thou
sand pitches this season, I’ll
bet nine hundred of them
will be fastballs.
“That’s who I am. I really
consider it four pitches in
one: in and out, up and down.
I’ve had luck with it so far.”
Kolb doesn’t worry about
strikeouts anymore, prefer
ring to get hitters out as
quickly as possible. Last
season, he became the first
reliever to have more saves
than strikeouts (just 21 in 57
innings).
Of the 25 saves he had
heading into the All-Star
break, Kolb figures 20 of
them took 10 pitches or less
- usually ending with three
ground-ball outs.
“It’s great throwing 10
pitches and you’re done.
Game over,” Kolb said. “My
arm felt great at the end of
the year for the first time in
a long time.”
on fan behavior that amused
me. I bought a bottled water
(I know, there was plenty of
water in the commodes), and
the concessions lady had me
remove the cap before leav
ing the stand.
She said it was to prevent
people from throwing the
caps onto the court. What
fool would do that? Never
mind, I know he/she is out
there.
Still, if I can’t throw the
cap, I can still throw the
bottle. I guess it’s easier to
get DNA from a bottle than
a cap.
We spend too much time
worrying about fools. We
spend too much time worry
ing about feelings.
We spend too much time
nurturing a false sense of
success. Officials don’t even
keep score in certain age
group sports. I’ve been to
those games, and I always
ask who is winning and the
kids alw’ays know.
They may not know the
score, but they know if
they’re winning or losing.
All they have to do is listen
to crowd noise.
I smuggled in my own
water, cap and all, into the
next game. Who wants to
pay $2 for a drink at the
Centreplex?
I also knew who won and
although my team didn’t,
I was able to refrain from
throwing anything.
The Locos remained vocal
and loyal to the end. They
were loud, boisterous and
politically incorrect. And
they had a good time.
Run off the fans, who cares
about the game? Remember
GHSA, the sport isn’t for the
players. It’s for the people
who come to watch.
Take note from the NHL.
Education doesn’t need
sports. Make your rules so
strict that fans can’t enjoy
supporting the game, and
they won’t come. No sports,
no GHSA. I could cheer for
that.
Then we could start over
with some common sense.
SPORTS
| ENNIS
Houston County versus Westside,
Thursday
Westside boys 3, Houston County Z
No. 1 Singles:
Drew Belk, WS. defeated Josh Milam.
HC, 10-5
No. 2 Singles:
Arlon Williams. WS. defeated Will Spence,
HC, 10-1
No. 3 Singles:
Matt Heath, HC, won by default
No. 1 doubles:
Zack Dannawi and Brian Waugh, WS,
defeated, Victor Wongk and Blake Bloser,
HC, 10-2
No. 2 doubles:
Ben Shepherd and Zane Willey, HC,
defeated Chris Gates and Caleb Rule,
WS, 10-7
R OWLING
WARNER ROBINS BOWLING NEWS
Through week ending Sunday
GOLD CUP - PARKWAY
Starlighters
High Scores: John Kirkendall 258-711;
Michael Jerry 254-677; Jessie Brown
219-535; Lori Phillips 217-605
Rock and Rollers
High Scores: Joseph Reyes 255; Mike
Kilinski 234-615; Mickey Holovach 673;
Maria Branch 209-542; Pamela Noble
191; Maureen Cooler 523
Morning Glory
High Scores: Rita Kelly 217; Maria
Branch 214-554; Iris Keener 536
Happy Hour
High Scores: Joe Pallini 167-262; Steve
Shierling 166; Russell Dorsey 265; Lisa
Hollie 142-263; Cindy Harbuck 126; Ruth
Ann Niel 239
Ladies Church
High Scores: Lori Crouse 185; Kathy
Welker-Fuller 181-440; Margaret Hicks
433
Tuesday Mens Handicap
High Scores: Dwayne Yoder 268-709;
Rick Hartley 264; Brian Robison 662
Moose ttes
High Scores: April Mitchell 223-574; Trish
Ellis 169-499
Parkway Senior Wonders
High Scores: Willis Ward 245-616; Larry
Bonner 214-596; Mary Johnson 181-509;
Irene Harner 173; Marge Riley 482
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Play Belter Golf with JACK NICKLAUS
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Ira | 15
. ..
Brannen Ford sells Middle Georgia’s first Ford Escape HYBRID.
(Phil Brannen Pictured with proud new owner, Erin Kitchens.)
■ ■■■■■■■■■■■a i ■
BYRON, G
YOU DON’T GET TO BE MIDDLE GEORGIA’S OLDEST FORD
FAMILY UNLESS YOU DO THINGS RIGHT!
Comer room
Town and Country
High Scores: Rickey Carrier 257; Michael
Jerry 255-663; Lloyd Britt 255-674; Susan
Palfrey 223-598; Si Dyer 205-603
Mixed Misfits
High Scores: Tony Baker 248-697; Keith
Collier 239; Judson Smith 670; Lori
Phillips 224-606; Amanda Etters 215-594
Gold Cup Russell Jr/Sr
High Scores: Noet Lynn 221; Michael
Dyer 211-554; Bobby Strother 536;
Jessica Camer 185; Melissa Flirt 171;
Kimberly Folsom 465; Becca Middleditch
434
Gold Cup Russell Bant/Preps
High Scores: Jacob Slife 173-421; Cody
Fauth 150; Jake Tarpley 368; Haley Waits
137-343; Jennifer Cooley 114-298
GOLD CUP - NORTH HOUSTON
Sunday Delights
High Scores: Craig Duke 279-755;
Donnie Carter 238; Mike McLendon 653;
Pat Carpenter 224-561; Trena Bolt 222-
554
Senior Mixed Fall
High Scores: Dave Barker 222; Pappy
McCune 221; Larry Bonner 584; Lloyd
Britt 546; Jan Collier 182-477; Jessie
Densmore 180; Marge Riley 180-506
Gold Cup's Finest
High Scores: Beth Lamb 225-595;
Carolyn Helmick 211-588
New Kids On The Alley
High Scores: William Johnson 279-679;
George Radcliff 258-656; Corey Jackson
679; Lori Phillips 246-600; Trellis Hamilton
199-561
Monday Night Nascar
High Scores: Alan James 203; George
Schulz 191; David Pope 580; Chris Smith
488; Tammy Jones 181-439; Sydney
Tutherow 168; Tina Marggraff 422
36th Grandma’s Tea Party
High Scores: Linda Smith 201-485; Carol
Campbell 180-472
Tuesday Night Madness
High Scores: Duane Beaudin 248-642;
Doug Cox 246-642; Mike Myrick 246-665;
Pearl Cox 213; Arlene Todd 212-576;
Devona Zodun 582
Wednesday Wonders
High Scores: Johnny Chatfield 223;
Kelvin Jones 222-593; Tony Carter 585;
Devin Dimuzio 585; Kathy Fowler 234-
617; Deanna Mines 222-578
Thursday Mixed Fall
High Scores: Vic Conner 210-576;
Charles Hobbs II 201; Chuck Hobbs 561;
Kitty Rummel 201-547; Tammy Deason
186-491
Junior Senior Youth NH
High Scores: Jason Dimuzio 166-474;
Carlos Clarington 165; Tyler Milam
Cleats
THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL
||■ l I ■ y
In
"I’m thrilled to be the
owner of Middle
Georgia’s Ist Ford
Escape Hybrid!”
Erin Kitchens • Warner Robins
1-75 • Exit 149
Byron, GA
478.956.4007
www.brannenford.com
460; Stephanie Allen 199-558; Becca
Hildenbrand 190-531
Bantam/Preps Youth NH
High Scores: Casey Layton 163-425;
Josh Margraff 159-360; Haletgh Dozier
'147-308; Allisa Davis 129-324
Pee Wee Youth NH
High Scores; Blake Perry 85-153;
Val'Lena Jackson 86-164; Madison
Lowery 77-142
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE
Officers' Spouses Club
High Scores: Nan Luna 186-496; Judy
Goddard 176; Ursula Jones 455
Peterson Point
High Scores: Steve Feeley 269-716;
Gordon Anderson 268; Conal Jackson
730
AFRC Mixed
High Scores: John Crowell 257; John
Atchley 248-678; Bob Walker 638; Jessica
Welles 191; Willa Martin 289-528; Laura
Felcan 502
American Intramurals
High Scores: Jim Rasmussen 258-748;
Raymond Chan 237; Shannon Wilson
237-645; Tez Chan 206-583; Judith Ferrel
187; Albertine Stewart 498
National Intramurals
High Scores: Antwan Evans 267-689;
Trevis Boaz 246-662; Terina Davis 170-
452; Coreena Kramer 162; Joslyn Woods
385
Early Friday Mixed
High Scoles: Dan Laßar 278-700; bob
Butts 261; Dan Bueno 687; Shirley Flood
226-609; Tez Chan 214-601
RYA Junior/Seniors
High Scores: Walter Shutter 216-584;
Christopher Chan 209-552; Jessycka
Hutcheso 171-477; Nicki Jean 170;
Stephanie Chan 473
RYA Bantam/Prep
High Scores: Tyler Hill 180-472; Benjamin
Cooper 158; Timothy Baker 435; Angel
Harris 168; Ashley Changet 149-393;
Cassie Stasel 149-392
fIASEBALL
Atlanta 206 000 10-9 14 0
Los Angeles (N) 001 160 00-8 10 1
Hampton, Colon (3), Boyer (4), Martin (5),
Hernandez (6), Mears (8) and E.Perez,
Mendez
Weaver, Houlton (3), Rupe (6), Brazoban
(8) and Ross, Martin. W-Hernandez, 1-0.
L-Rupe, 0-1. Sv-Mears (1). HRs-Atlanta,
Jordan (1), A.Jones (1).
Nick Green, Andruw Jones and Andy
Marie drove in two runs apiece and Mike
Hampton pitched two perfect innings.