LOCAL

LOCAL

NABF College event opens today

YOUNGSTOWN — The NABF College Division Regional Baseball Tournament, 22 years old and under, starts today at noon at Pemberton Donnell Park.

The event is being sponsored by the Youngstown Parks and Recreation Department.

Fitch season tickets

AUSTINTOWN — Fitch High season tickets for previous season ticket holders go on sale Aug. 5 through Aug. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 at the south circle ticket office at the school. Ticket package is $45 for seven home games. Senior citizens(62-over) may purchase the package for $35. Federal League prices for the season are $7 reserved, $6 general admission and $3 students (presale only). For those who have not purchased season tickets in the past, they will be sold Aug. 12-14 from 6 to 7:30 at the south circle window.

Pavlik golf sponsorships

LOWELLVILLE — Sponsorship opportunities are still available for Friday’s Kelly Pavlik golf benefit at Bedford Trails.

Although the team spots have been filled, tournament organizers are still looking for hole sponsors as well as donations for the silent auction.

All proceeds benefit go toward the Akron Children’s satellite hospital in Boardman, which will open soon.

If you’d like to help, call (330) 788-7980 or 727-8278.

Mercer Racing Set Saturday

MERCER, Pa. — Mercer Raceway Park will be back in action Saturday night with another five-division racing card of Luxaire Heating and Cooling Spring Cars, Tire Express Modifieds, McElwain Motors FASTRACK Late Models, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites and the M D Paving Mini Stocks.

Racing begins at 7 p.m. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 4:30. Warm ups begin at 6:15. Adult admission is $11, students 6-15 are $5 and the family pass is $25 with kids five and under admitted free. Pit passes are $25.

STATE

Blue Jackets sign Leclaire to deal

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Pascal Leclaire on Wednesday to a three-year contract through the 2010-11 season.

The 25-year-old Leclaire is coming off his best NHL season. He had a 24-17-6 record with a 2.25 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and nine shutouts in 54 games. He ranked second in the league in shutouts, seventh in goals-against average and 11th in save percentage, while his record was the best in franchise history and his shutout total nearly doubled the previous club mark of five set by Marc Denis in 2002-03 and tied in 2003-04.

NATION

Kentucky QB guilty of speeding

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Kentucky quarterback Curtis Pulley has pleaded guilty to a speeding charge in Elizabethtown stemming from a traffic stop last week.

Pulley was arrested by state police in Hardin County on July 22 and charged with speeding, driving on a suspended or revoked license and having expired or no plates or registration papers.

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks has declined to comment on Pulley’s arrest. Pulley was expected to compete with Mike Hartline for the starting job when preseason practice opens next week.

Schnellenberger gets extension

BOCA RATON, Fla. — If Florida Atlantic opens its long-planned new football stadium in 2010, Howard Schnellenberger will be on the sideline.

The 74-year-old coach had his contract extended Wednesday through the 2010 season, a reward from the school’s board of trustees after leading the Owls to their first Sun Belt Conference championship last year. There is a provision in the deal that could allow it to be extended through 2011 if the facility is not completed until then.

Schnellenberger, who led both Miami and Louisville to national prominence before taking over at FAU, makes about $350,000 annually, one of the top salaries for football coaches in the Sun Belt.

Vindicator staff/wire