Sports Digest || Boardman to honor longtime official

Boardman to honor longtime official

BOARDMAN

Boardman High will unveil a new outdoor record board honoring longtime track and cross country official Ronald A. Scott at 10 a.m. Saturday at the high school track.

All current record holders for the boys and girls teams are encouraged to attend.

Scott, who officiated high school and college track and cross country for more than 30 years, passed away on June 18, 2009.

For details, call Denise Gorski at 330-726-3423.

Women’s 9-pin, no-tap entries at alleys

YOUNGSTOWN

Entries for the Youngstown-Salem USBC Women’s Bowling Association’s 12th annual 9-pin, no-tap tournament are available at local alleys.

The handicap event for women and mixed teams is April 2-3 and April 8-10 at Amron Lanes in Canfield.

No-tap is defined as the first ball of any frame counting as a strike when either nine or 10 pins are knocked down.

Per-person entry fee is $16 ($64 per four-person team) and should be mailed to the association office.

Women’s divisions include 640-and-under team average and 641-and-over team average, while men and women’s mixed teams will be categorized by averages of 740-and-under and 741-and-over.

Class AA baseball

YOUNGSTOWN

Baseball teams or players who are interested in joining the Youngstown Class “AA” League this summer should call Bob Mingo at (330) 272-1751. Also, players who are interested in playing in the Tri-State Collegiate League should call Mingo.

Bowl Over Cancer

COLUMBIANA

A “Bowl Over Cancer” fundraiser will be April 2 at Arrowhead Lanes.

The 9-pin no-tap event includes three games, prizes, a 50-50 raffle and silent auction beginning at 9 p.m. Contact Jerry (330) 482-3493 or Donna (330) 770-0808. Proceeds benefit “Donna’s Dream Team” in the Boardman Cancer Relay for Life, May 13-14.

Showalter critical in interview

SARASOTA, Fla.

Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter is critical of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein in a magazine interview.

In the April edition of Men’s Journal, Showalter recalls the Yankees being surprised that he yelled at Jeter. He says it bothers him that Jeter often jumps away from pitches just off the plate and gets calls from the umpires.

Showalter also inferred that Epstein’s job is made easier by Boston’s big payroll.

Asked Thursday about his comments, Showalter said he didn’t mean to be insulting and acknowledged “maybe it is envy or something on my part.”

Kia Classic

INDUSTRY, Calif.

Amanda Blumenherst birdied the final four holes for a 7-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Germany’s Sanda Gal in the Kia Classic.

Blumenherst, the former Duke star seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, had nine birdies and two bogeys in her opening round on the Industry Hills Golf Club course at Pacific Palms.

Michelle Wie birdied the par-5 18th for a 68.

The tournament is the tour’s first in the Los Angeles area in six years.

Andalucia Open

MALAGA, Spain

England’s Robert Rock birdied five of his final eight holes for a 5-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead in the Andalucia Open. Fellow Englishman Jamie Elson and Swedes Johan Edfors, Rikard Karlberg and Oscar Floren also opened with 65s at Parador de Malaga Golf club.

Negro Leagues body

picks Kendrick

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

The former marketing director of the landmark Negro Leagues Baseball Museum received a standing ovation from a crowd that included former Negro and Major Leaguers when he was introduced Thursday as the new president of the now-struggling institution.

“I don’t want the clapping to stop when I ask you to write that check,” said Bob Kendrick whose new role will include putting the institution on firmer financial footing.

Kendrick traveled extensively with Buck O’Neil, the late and beloved ambassador of Negro Leagues baseball. Many had thought Kendrick was going to get the president’s job two years ago, but the museum’s board chose Greg Baker for the post.

Baker resigned last fall after a decision to back away from the museum’s strong connection to O’Neil splintered many of its most loyal supporters. The recession further dampened donations and revenue.

Beckham to captain

Los Angeles Galaxy

CARSON, Calif.

David Beckham has gotten the captain’s armband back for the Los Angeles Galaxy for the first time in three years.

Beckham will be captain Saturday for the Major League Soccer team’s game at Real Salt Lake.

Beckham took over as captain when he joined the team in 2007 but last captained the Galaxy on Oct. 26, 2008. The armband was given to Landon Donovan the following year.

Donovan will miss the game to be with the U.S. national team for its exhibition against Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J.