LOCAL

LOCAL
Canfield's Colemandecides on Kent State
CANFIELD -- Dan Coleman, a 6-foot, 7-inch, 260-pound senior offensive tackle from Canfield High, verbally committed to play football at Kent State, Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky said.
A three-year starter for the Cardinals, Coleman was selected to the second team All-Ohio and first teams All-Northeast Ohio Inland District and Metro Athletic Conference.
Games postponed
LORDSTOWN -- The Southington at Lordstown boys varsity and junior varsity basketball games tonight have been postponed because of flu. Rescheduling of the games will be announced at a future date.
Tennis tournament
BOARDMAN -- The Boardman Tennis Club Holiday Tennis Tournament will be held in three segments with 40 divisions.
The first segment is set Dec. 22-24 with junior divisions. The second segment is slated Dec. 26-28 with adult/open division and the third segment is scheduled Dec. 29-31 with more junior divisions.
All players are guaranteed a minimum of two matches.
Deadline for entries is Saturday. For more information call Jerry or Steve at (330) 758-7400 or (330) 385-6141.
Marisa Simon namedto all-star team
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cardinal Mooney sophomore midfielder Marisa Simon followed up her selection to the All-Ohio team by being named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Region IV All-Region team. The team is comprised of the top 60 high school players from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.
Simon, who was named first team All-SVC, all-county and all-district, also plays club soccer for Ohio Premier in Cleveland. In addition to her high school accomplishments, she has been selected to the Ohio-North state team several times and made the Region II team in 2002, when she traveled to Florida for tryouts to determine the U-16 women's youth national team.
REGION
Decision on Baeznearing for Indians
CLEVELAND -- Danys Baez's complicated status with the Cleveland Indians could be cleared up soon.
The right-hander rejected a $4 million, two-year offer earlier this week from the Indians, who have spent the past month making roster maneuvers with Baez.
Since Nov. 14, the Indians have declined their $5 million option on Baez, sent him outright to Triple-A Buffalo, purchased his contract and offered the 26-year-old a new deal.
The next move will come by midnight Saturday when the Indians must decide whether to formally offer a 2004 contract.
Browns to honorOtto Graham
CLEVELAND -- Hall of Famer Otto Graham will be honored Sunday by the Cleveland Browns, who will wear No. 14 decals on their helmets in tribute to the late quarterback.
Graham, who led the Browns to 10 championship games in 10 seasons, died Wednesday in Sarasota, Fla., of an aneurysm in his heart. He was 82.
MUC gradnamed coach
ADA -- Ohio Northern University named Dean Paul its new football coach Thursday.
Paul was 40-12 in five seasons at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Ky. He takes over from interim coach Stacey Hairston, who led the Polar Bears to a 4-6 record this year.
A four-year letterman at Mount Union, Paul was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference in 1988 and 1990. He ranks sixth all-time at Mount Union with 2,013 career rushing yards and is fifth in rushing touchdowns with 19.
OSU's Sylvesterwill sit one game
COLUMBUS -- Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien suspended forward Matt Sylvester Thursday for one game for flagrantly elbowing a Furman player in Wednesday night's 70-68 victory.
With 11 minutes remaining in the game and the Buckeyes leading 50-45, Sylvester elbowed Furman's Nick Sanders while lined up for a free throw.
As part of Sylvester's suspension, he will issue a written apology to Sanders, O'Brien said.
Sylvester will not travel to New Jersey for the Ohio State (5-3) game against Seton Hall Saturday.
NATION
Yankees charged
BOSTON -- Yankees Jeff Nelson and Karim Garcia and a Fenway Park groundskeeper were charged with assault and battery for brawling in New York's bullpen after the groundskeeper cheered for Boston during a playoff game.
Clerk Magistrate Michael Neighbors called the case against Nelson and Garcia "weak," because no eyewitnesses or police officers who were at the game testified during a probable cause hearing last week. But he said the police report contained enough evidence to charge the players.
Armstrong to racetwice more
WASHINGTON -- Five-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said he'll compete in two more tours before retiring.
Vindicator staff/wire reports