Haynes gets a start

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 06:13 PM

BALTIMORE—Eric Hinske’s Opening Day homer wasn’t enough to net him a start in game two of the season. He’ll begin the day on the bench as the Rays get their first long look at newly acquired outfielder Nathan Haynes. Hinske is 3-for-21 lifetime against Cabrera, leading Joe Maddon to give Haynes a shot.

“I think Nathan, the kind of hitter he is, might have a better chance,” said Maddon. “Not having seen both of them enough, I’m just making this guess at this point.”

Maddon said Jonny Gomes will start tomorrow against Steve Trachsel. He also plans to start Gomes, Elliot Johnson (at DH) and Shawn Riggans on Saturday agianst Andy Pettitte at Yankee Stadium.

Other than that switch, the Rays’ lineup remains the same tonight:

Iwamura 2B
Crawford LF
Pena 1B
Upton CF
Floyd DH
Aybar 3B
Navarro C
Haynes RF
Bartlett SS
Garza P

Updating, 7:12 There’s nobody here. I mean, most of this stadium is empty. Sad. Very cold out here, though. Somehow, the game-time temperature was 55 degrees (same as Monday), but it feels much, much colder.

---

Crawford: I want to stay a Ray

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 03:54 PM

BALTIMORE—Carl Crawford said in the statement released by the team yesterday as his $8.25 million option for 2009 was picked up that he would like to stick around the Rays for a “long time.” Asked to expand on those thoughts this afternoon, he reiterated his desire to remain a Ray indefinitely.

“Most definitely I would like to stay here with the Rays; this is the only organization I know,” he said.

His motivation to stay isn’t just rooted in familiarity. He also would like to be a part of winning with the Rays after suffering through so much losing over the years.

“I’d hate to leave right when the getting is good,” said Crawford. “You’ve been around for all the bad stuff, you want to be around for the good part, too, and it looks like the good part is coming ahead. I definitely want to be a part of that, so I’d hate to be out right when the team starts to win more games.”

He added that he hadn’t given much thought to an extension of his current contract, which is now guaranteed through 2009 with a club option for 2010, because the end of that deal seems “so far away” in his mind. He said he hasn’t asked his agent to initiate talks with the Rays about a new deal, but naturally would be all ears if the Rays came to him first.

“Of course I’d want to listen,” he said. “Everybody’s getting extended these days, it seems like, so I’d definitely listen.”

Crawford certainly would be worth far more on the open market than what the Rays are currently paying him, but he gave no hint of regret about his current deal.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said. “That first contract took care of me and my family for the rest of our lives, so I’ll be living off that stuff for the rest of my life. I’d never argue about that. That situation just put me in a position for where I’m at now, so now I can be at ease.”

---

Flames Win Opener At National Championships

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Nick Murray

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 03:52 PM

The Gulf Coast Flames under-12 hockey team won its opening game at the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships with a 2-1 win against the Hershey Jr. Bears from Pennsylvania on Wednesday afternoon in Hackensack, N.J.

The Bears took a first period lead on a goal by Drew Skudalski, but Drew Fineberg tied the game on a power play goal with 7:05 to play in the second period. J.C. Bradley and Zack Mitchell picked up assists on Fineberg’s goal. Goaltender Reid Simpson made 21 saves, including six in the third period as the Flames took control of the game, out-shooting the Bears 12-6. The Flames were rewarded for their pressure when Jeremy Butterworth scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 5:20 to play.

The Flames, who won the South East District to advance to the finals, will face the Wonderland Wizards on Thursday before facing the Neponset Valley River Rats on Friday to complete pool play. The Wizards lost their opener 4-2 to the Northbrook Bluehawks, while Neponset lost its opener 5-1 to the Dallas Penguins.

---

Kaz feels ‘alive’ in bullpen session

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 02:30 PM

BALTIMORE—Scott Kazmir threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session today at the Naimoli Complex and was pleased with the results.

“My arm feels alive,” Kazmir told The Associated Press afterward. “It feels like I’m getting good extension on the ball. My mechanics are good, so I’m happy where I’m at.”

Kazmir threw 35 fastballs and 10 changeups—his first since returning to the mound.

It sounds like Kazmir is still on track for a late-April return to the Rays’ rotation, but reviews have been overwhelmingly positive over the last week or so, perhaps opening the door to accelerate the process a bit.

Also at the complex, David Price played catch for the first time since feeling something in his elbow in a March 20 spring training appearance.

If Price was healthy, he certainly would have been in the running to get the Opening Day start for Vero Beach tomorrow. Instead, Heath Rollins will do the honors.

All of the Rays’ full-season affiliates open their seasons tomorrow. The other starters are Jeff Niemann for Durham, Jake McGee for Montgomery and Alex Cobb for Columbus.

The other members of the Bulls’ rotation, FYI, will be Jae Kuk Ryu, Chris Mason, Mitch Talbot and lefty Mike Prochaska.

And in really big news, the Rays have informed us that radio personalities Mike and the Mad Dog have sent a $100 check to the team to cover their transgressions in using the not-to-be-mentioned former nickname on the air.

---

Riverview Hires New Boys Basketball Coach

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 02:17 PM

Dwayne Perry will be the new Riverview High boys varsity basketball coach, athletic director Ron Wardlow announced on Wednesday.

Perry replaces Mike Baker, who resigned in early March.

Wardlow said Perry played at Eckerd College and professionally overseas before coaching various high school teams abroad.

“I think he has the ability to relate to young kids,” Wardlow said. “He’s also a youth minister as well. A lot of kids already know him because of his involvement in the community.”

The Sharks finished 3-15 this past season.

---

NHL Draft lottery to be broadcast live

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 01:05 PM

This press release from the NHL in regards to the draft lottery, which is to be held live at 8 p.m. and televised on Versus and the NHL Network here in the U.S.

TORONTO/NEW YORK - The National Hockey League Draft Drawing, a weighted system to determine the order of selection for the first 14 picks of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, will take place Monday, April 7, at 8 p.m. ET at the NHL’s New York City office.

      The League, in cooperation with TSN, further announced that the results of the Draft Drawing will be televised live by TSN in Canada; VERSUS in the U.S.; and NHL Network in the U.S. and Canada.  Furthermore, the results will be streamed live on NHL.com and TSN.ca and broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio.  It will be only the second time the Draft Drawing results will be televised live, and the first time since 2005, when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the right to select first overall and drafted Sidney Crosby.

      The 30-minute, live program – titled “Scotiabank NHL Draft Lottery” – will begin at 8 p.m. ET and will originate from the NHL on TSN studios in Toronto.  TSN’s James Duthie will host the program, with Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie and analyst Mike Milbury.       

      The Draft Drawing involves Clubs that do not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or the Clubs that acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff clubs. 

Per NHL rules, the club selected in the Draft Drawing may not move up more than four positions in the draft order.  Thus, the only Clubs with the opportunity to receive the first overall selection are the five teams with the lowest regular-season point totals, or the Clubs that acquired an eligible Club’s first-round draft pick.  No club will move down more than one position as a result of the Draft Drawing.

      Under the weighted system, the club with the fewest regular-season points will have the greatest chance (25%) of winning the Draft Drawing and will pick no lower than second.  Based on team finish, the percentage chance of being selected in the Draft Drawing is:

          30th place team       - 25.0%                23rd place team       -  3.6%
          29th place team       - 18.8%                22nd place team -  2.7%
          28th place team       - 14.2%                21st place team       -  2.1%
          27th place team       - 10.7%                20th place team       -  1.5%
          26th place team       -  8.1%                19th place team       -  1.1%
          25th place team       -  6.2%                18th place team       -  0.8%
          24th place team       -  4.7%                17th place team       -  0.5%
     
      The 2008 NHL Entry Draft will take place at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.  The first round will take place on Friday, June 20 commencing at 7 p.m. (local time) and the subsequent rounds (two through seven) will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21.

Results of Previous Draft Drawings

 
Year       Selected               Effect On Draft Order                 Player Selected
1995       Los Angeles             Moved from 7th to 3rd                   D Aki Berg
1996       Ottawa                 Retained 1st selection                   D Chris Phillips
1997       Boston               Retained 1st selection                   C Joe Thornton
1998       Tampa Bay             Moved from 3rd to 1st via trades           C Vincent Lecavalier
1999       Chicago                 Moved from 8th to 4th                     RW Pavel Brendl *
2000       NY Islanders             Moved from 5th to 1st                     G Rick DiPietro
2001       Atlanta                   Moved from 3rd to 1st                     LW Ilya Kovalchuk
2002       Florida                   Moved from 3rd to 1st                     LW Rick Nash **
2003       Florida                   Moved from 4th to 1st                     G Marc-Andre Fleury ***
2004       Washington             Moved from 3rd to 1st                     LW Alex Ovechkin
2005       Pittsburgh               n/a                                         C Sidney Crosby
2006       St. Louis                 Retained 1st selection                   D Erik Johnson
2007       Chicago                 Moved from 5th to 1st                 RW Patrick Kane
 
* NY Rangers obtained Chicago’s pick in a trade (via Vancouver and Tampa Bay). The Rangers selected RW Pavel Brendl fourth overall.
 
** Columbus obtained Florida’s pick in a trade. The Blue Jackets selected LW Rick Nash first overall.
 
*** Pittsburgh obtained Florida’s pick in a trade. The Penguins selected G Marc-Andre Fleury first overall.

---

Chamberlain Girls Track Coach Resigns

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Bill Ward

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Chamberlain girls track coach Tiffany Johnson has resigned, Chiefs athletic director Richard Scionti confirmed Wednesday.

Johnson, a former standout jumper and sprinter at North Carolina A&T and Middle Tennessee State, had led the girls team the past two seasons. But after her husband, Hansford Johnson, was forced out as the Chiefs’ boys coach last week, Tiffany Johnson submitted her resignation to Scionti on Tuesday. Chiefs distance coach Bill Strack, who assumed the boys head position after Hansford Johnson stepped down, is also assuming the girls job, Scionti said.

Scionti is citing personal reasons for both of the Johnsons’ resignations. Hansford Johnson, however, said he was asked to resign because he allowed an inelligible boys track athlete to compete in last month’s Disney Showcase meet at Lake Buena Vista. Johnson said he believed the athlete could run at the meet because he thought the meet was not sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

The Disney meet was sanctioned by the FHSAA and as a result, Chamberlain has submitted the necessary paperwork to the FHSAA to report its violation. Scionti said a fine is typically issued by the FHSAA for this type violation.

---

Something for Bolts to play for in Carolina

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 07:47 PM

It has to be difficult this time of year for high-level athletes to find motivation to play when the playoffs have been off the radar for about two months. And I understand Coach John Tortorella’s point that there is always something to play for, and these guys have millions of reasons to play hard each night no matter what is at stake (that’s my take, not the coach’s, BTW).

It was certainly evident in Monday’s home finale against Atlanta that neither team looked to be too interested in putting forth a top-level effort. There were plenty of shots, but not a whole lot of Grade-A scoring chances for either team.

Tonight, however, it’s a much different story. And Tortorella said he has already addressed the situation with the team in the morning meeting and will do so again in the pre-game meeting - Carolina is going to come hard and if Tampa Bay doesn’t show up they will get steamrolled. Not to mention the fact that there has to be some sort of pride in taking out a team that is fighting for something, as the Hurricanes are. After dropping a game to the Capitals on Tuesday, a game that could have clinched the division title for Carolina, the Hurricanes will no doubt play desperate as they now are staring at the possibility of not even making the playoffs now with two games to go. Is this what parity brings to the league? Wow, crazy situation with plenty of spots not having been wrapped even with only a few days left in the regular season.

Anyway, Mike Smith in goal tonight. He took his option and didn’t skate this morning, but it had nothing to do with his left knee. There will no lineup changes from Monday’s game against Atlanta, which means Shane O’Brien, Andre Roy and Karl Stewart are out.

Sounds like Cam Ward will once again be in net for the Canes, at least according to Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer. Also, Justin Williams is out after knocking his back out last night in his first game back from a knee injury. Talking about when it rains it pours for a guy!!!!

Tortorella talked a lot this morning about the play of Matt Smaby in recent games, and the 18 to 20 minutes of ice time is a reflection of how Smaby as played. The top four guys right now are Alex Picard with Filip Kuba (the pairing used against the top lines right now) and Dan Boyle with Smaby. Brad Lukowich and Dan Boyle are the other pairing. Torts said he likes how Smaby has been physical in the corners and his positioning has been pretty good.

Tortorella also revealed that Jeff Halpern will be joining Team USA for the upcoming World Championships, although he admitted that maybe he wasn’t supposed to tell us that!!!

FIRST INTERMISSION

Gotta love the fans in Carolina. OK, you really don’t have to love them, but I do think it’s pretty cool that they tailgate before games. When I was up here for the last game I saw on group pulling out the KFC; today I saw a kid dressed up in goalie gear guarding a net. And they tailgate even in the colder weather, which it was a couple of weeks ago when I was up here.

But here’s one thing I don’t like about the fans, I think they are a bit cheesy inside the arena. First off, during the Star Spangled Banner, they yell out “RED’’ during one of the verses. So could a few other teams in the league, like the ‘RED’ Wings. Come, be original. At least in Florida they yell out “ROCKET’’ from the days of Pavel Bure, and in Dallas they yell out “STARS’’ for the, uh, Stars and in Atlanta they yell out “NIGHTS’’ in honor of the former minor league team the Atlanta Knights.

I’m also not a fan of the jeer they seem to do in the South (and it was started by Boston fans during the 1986 World Series, but not like this) when they jeer out the name of the opposing goaltender - SMIIIIITH . . . SMIIIIITH . . . SMIIIIITH . . . YOU SUCK’’ Very kindergartenish if you ask me.

One other thing about this building, other than it’s really cold, is the John Deer Tractor paint job on the zamboni’s - it’s very stereotype, but it looks cool!!!

I wondered internally this morning when it was revealed that Mike Smith was going to start tonight, especially after the game Karri Ramo played against the Canes on Saturday. I wasn’t crazy about the first goal Smith let in, a far post shot from the side of the right circle. Very Holmqvist-Grahame like there. Of course, if Vinny Lecavalier rubs out Eric Staal inside the Carolina zone when he had the chance, the play doesn’t move up the ice like that. Nice passing play on Marty St. Louis’ goal. It was one of those moments where you are about to curse both Vinny and Jussi Jokinen until they find Marty open for a shot into a virtually open net.

Poor clearing out in front of the net on the second Carolina goal. With Chad LaRose and Trevor Letowski both in the crease, they each got a couple of whacks before LaRose smacked it into the net.

SECOND INTERMISSION

Well, the way things are going Tampa Bay and Atlanta might be jockying for position when the two teams meet in the season finale on Saturday. Uh, that’s position for the draft lottery . . . Of course, if Tampa Bay takes another setback tomorrow night in Washington, then Saturday’s game truly becomes meaningless as the Thrashers are three points ahead of the Lightning in the standings….

Real bad bounce on the fourth goal as a dump-in ricocheted off the partition of the glass as Smith was heading behind the net. As Lou Pinella often says, “Ah, what are you going to do?’‘

Only complaint I would have is that Tampa Bay needs to keep Carolina out of its goal crease. The Hurricanes have constantly been in the crease, that was the case on the second Carolina goal. The third goal, somebody came crawling out of the actually net itself, and in fact was in the net before the puck (I guess that’s legal?) and then on another play, Jeff Halpern cross-checked the heck out of Ryan Bayda sending him sprawling into the net. Unfortunately, Bayda fell right on top of Smith’s bad knee. Smith took exception, even though it was Halpern he sent him flying, and gave Bayda a couple of punches while in the net.

Oh, and one more thing about the fans here in Carolina . . . it’s kind of annoying how every time a penalty is called on the opposition, the bleacher bums up here in the nosebleed section yell out , “Cheaters Never Win’’ and when a call is made against the Hurricanes, they have some comments for the ref which I can’t quite deciper. Seems ironic that the team which has around 50 more power play opportunities than any other team should be making wise-mouth comments toward the officiating. But, oh, well. On to Washington.

T-minus two games and counting. And if anybody is heading to Disney World for Spring Break, look for me starting on Tuesday. I’ll be the one with a big smile on my face despite having four kids in tow (that’s not a reflection on my kids, but not too many others with four kids are probably smiling all that much at Disney, if you know what I mean!!!)

---

Robinson Baseball Coach Suspended Pending Investigation

Posted Apr 2, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 2, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Robinson High baseball coach Brandon Genovesi has been suspended pending the investigation into an on-campus incident Monday at the school.

Linda Cobbe, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County School District, confirmed Wednesday morning Genovesi is being investigated for “a physical confrontation with a student.” The investigation is being conducted by the Office of Professional Standards. Cobbe said there is no timetable for the investigation to be completed. Genovesi has yet to meet with representatives with the office, Cobbe said.

Robinson High athletic director Marcia Monk also Wednesday confirmed Genovesi has been suspended from all coaching duties while the investigation is conducted. Monk, who declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation, said she hoped it would be completed within the next 24 hours.

Genovesi is in his second year as baseball coach at Robinson. He is not a full-time teacher at the school, but has been a substitute on campus. Cobbe added Genovesi will not be allowed to substitute while the investigation is ongoing.

Genovesi declined comment when reached late Tuesday.

---

ESPN requests license from NCAA for St. Pete Bowl

Posted Apr 1, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Apr 1, 2008 at 10:53 PM

ESPN submitted a proposal to the NCAA on Tuesday’s deadline to acquire a license to start the St. Petersburg Bowl in December.

The NCAA’s bowl certifying board meets in late April and can approve or deny the new bowl or request more information. The St. Petersburg Bowl game will pit teams from the Big East and Conference USA and be played at Tropicana Field, said Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager for ESPN Regional.

“We’ll go before the NCAA’s committee at the end of the month at the NCAA’s bowl meetings at which time we hope we’ll be awarded the license,” Derzis said.

The game is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 21, a Tampa Bay Rays official told for The Tampa Tribune last week.

“The response [about the bowl game] from civic leaders has been really positive,” Derzis said.

If the St. Pete Bowl is approved the Big East would have bowl berths for seven of its eight teams in 2008 and Conference USA would have six bowl berths for its 12 members.

---