Cooper works home plate today

Cooper works home plate today

WILLIAMSPORT, PA.

Chet Cooper of Canfield will be the home plate umpire for today’s Little League World Series game between Latin America and Middle East/Africa. ESPN2 will televise the game at 5 p.m.

Cooper is the second Mahonong Valley umpire to be selected to work the Little League World Series. In 1998, Greg Giannios of Boardman umpired for the Little League World Series.

Cooper’s weekend schedule will be announced today.

Cooper, a biology professor at Youngstown State University, is writing a blog on his Williamsport experiences. It can be accessed at: chet-llws-2012.blogspot.com.

Reporting results

The Vindicator encourages coaches and statisticians to report fall prep results by email (sports@vindy.com) or fax (330-747-6712).

Phone calls (330-747-1478) are also acceptable but emails and faxes are strongly preferred.

Cardinals win Warren AA title

WARREN

Josh Gore was selected the most valuable player after the Cardinals defeated Metro Ice, 5-1, in the Warren AA Baseball League championship series.

Winning pitcher Jeremy Krol struck out for batters and walked three to earn the win as the Cardinals won the series, 3-1.

Other players are Dan Costello, Tony Koch, Joe Koch, Ricky Dimunizo, Matt Dimunizo, Joe Collins, Mike Rohan, Steve Wilaj, Kyle Borton, Darrell Grammer, Marty Brinker, Tyler Hartman, Dave Piersante, Ryan Young, Pete Guithwaith and Brian Roseauittia.

Helping manager Frank Costello were coaches Ralph Testa and Rick Dimunizo.

Niles’ Lyell set for Sept. 29 bout

NILES

Former IBF world title challenger Billy Lyell (24-11) will return to the boxing ring on Sept. 29 at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, Minn.

Lyell will face undefeated prospect Cerresso Fort (13-0-1) over 10 rounds for the interim NABA superwelterweight (154 pound) title.

In his last bout six months ago, Lyell lost to undefeated Johnathan Gonzalez (15-0) in a bout televised by Showtime. Scores were 97-93, 97-93 and 98-92.

The show is being promoted by Joy Boy Promotions and information and tickets may be obtained by calling (202) 656-9269.

Bears’ Urlacher vows to be ready

BOURBONNAIS, Ill.

Expect to see Brian Urlacher on the field for the Chicago Bears’ season opener.

None other than Urlacher says so.

The middle linebacker underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Tuesday morning. He spoke Thursday for the first time since before the decision was made to have the surgery. He first injured the knee Jan. 1 in the regular-season finale against Minnesota and tried to rehab it without surgery.

The 34-year-old, eight-time Pro Bowl player never had any type of knee surgery until Tuesday.

Bradford denies need for surgery

ST. LOUIS

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford says speculation he might need offseason ankle surgery is off-base.

Bradford missed six games with a high left ankle sprain last season, aggravating the injury a few times after being hurt in mid-October and sitting out the final three games. He brought up the injury after the team scrimmaged earlier this month when asked generically how he felt physically, volunteering the ankle would need to be managed.

After practice Thursday night, Bradford says he is weary of discussing the topic. He adds that until the injury caused him to miss practice of game time, it was a “non-issue.”

Coach Jeff Fisher says he thought Bradford has been moving well and has had no issues. Fisher said surgery could sideline a player four to six months, but rehabbing the injury could be a longer process.

Staff/wire reports