YSU

YSU

Kid’s Club

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State softball team and is seeking Valley kids to become members in the newly formed Pete’s Kids Club.

By joining this club, youngsters will be part of the football, basketball and Olympic sports family at Youngstown State and will have exclusive access to YSU sporting events and Kids Club promotions.

For more information about the club — and for adults who don’t have children but would like to sponsor one — contact the YSU softball office at (330) 941-1924 or visit www.ysusports.com/penguinclub.

AREA

Thomas captures Gloves title

CLEVELAND — Youngstown’s Julius Thomas (4-0) won the 141-pound novice title last weekend at the Cleveland Golden Gloves tournament.

Thomas defeated Vaughn Hunter of Cleveland in the final. Thomas is trained by Keith Burnside of the Burnside Boxing Club. His cornerman was Lawrence Fain.

Thomas will next fight on May 8 in Cleveland against an opponent to be determined.

K.O. Drugs boxing

NILES — The 21st annual K.O. Drugs high school boxing tournament will hold weigh-ins and late registration on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Trumbull and Mercer County students should attend between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Dick’s in Niles.

Mahoning and Columbiana County students should attend between 3 p.m. and 6 at the Dick’s in Boardman.

Parental consent and a $25 registration fee (which covers insurance and physical examination) is required.

The Friday-only tournament will be held on May 1, 15, 22 and 29 at the ITAM banquet center on Meridian Road in Youngstown.

Tickets are $10. For more details, call Chuck or Pat Nelson at (330) 727-0932.

NATIONAL

Saunders official

WASHINGTON — Flip Saunders officially has the job on the Washington Wizards’ bench, complete with an $18 million, four-year contract and the task of picking up the pieces from one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

The Wizards said Wednesday that Saunders will be their new coach, confirming one of the worst-kept secrets of the NBA. Saunders and the Wizards reached an oral agreement more than a week ago, and the 54-year-old coach signed the deal Tuesday night.

Saunders succeeds interim coach Ed Tapscott, who finished the season when Eddie Jordan was fired after a 1-10 start. Jordan led the Wizards to four straight playoff appearances, but long-term injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood doomed the season from the start.

Tapscott, who had never coached in the NBA, went 18-53.

Saunders has a career record of 587-396 over 13 NBA seasons, 10 with Minnesota and three with Detroit.

Davidson’s Curry to announce decision

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson guard Stephen Curry will announce today if he’ll return for his senior season or enter the NBA draft.

The school has called a late-morning news conference at its athletic complex. Curry and his father, former NBA player Dell Curry, will attend along with Davidson coach Bob McKillop.

The 6-foot-3 Curry was the nation’s top scorer last season, averaging 28.6 points a game.

MLB teams lose value

NEW YORK — One-third of Major League Baseball teams declined in value over the past year while the New York Yankees’ worth increased 15 percent to $1.5 billion, according to the annual estimates by Forbes magazine.

The Washington Nationals took the biggest hit during the recession, down 12 percent to $406 million. The Atlanta Braves dropped 10 percent and the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners each were off 9 percent, the magazine said Wednesday.

The decline by 10 teams was the most since 2004, Forbes said.

WORLD

Nadal begins title defense

BARCELONA, Spain — Rafael Nadal began his bid for a fifth straight title at the Barcelona Open by beating Frederico Gil of Portugal 6-2, 6-2 in the second round today. Following a first-round bye, the top-ranked Spaniard broke Gil twice in each set, but the qualifier made him work hard.

Nadal has lost only one of his 23 matches at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. He’s also on a 22-match winning streak on clay.

Trying to become the first player to win the Barcelona Open five straight times, Nadal will next play Christophe Rochus of Belgium, who defeated Richard Gasquet of France 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-3.

Vindicator staff/wire reports