Umpire Association to hold meeting, social

Umpire Association to hold meeting, social

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Metro Umpire Association will hold an OHSAA baseball/softball meeting and its annual social Monday beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Activity Center, 3801 Shady Run Road.

Fred Vicarel and Ron Knight will be the guest speakers from the Northeast District Board. Umpires are reminded that they must attend four meetings to meet state requirements. Call John Mang at 330-502-6665 for more information.

MLB toughens drug penalties, to test more

NEW YORK

In the wake of the Biogenesis scandal that led to 14 suspensions last summer, Major League Baseball and its players’ union announced Friday they are toughening penalties and increasing the frequency of testing in the most substantial revisions to their drug agreement in eight years. Players suspended during the season for a performance-enhancing drug violation will not be eligible for that year’s postseason. In addition, discipline will increase from 50 games to 80 for a first testing violation and from 100 games to a season-long 162 for a second. A third violation remains a lifetime ban.

While there were two-to-four major league suspensions annually from 2008-11, the number increased to 12 in 2012 and 14 players were penalized following last year’s investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic. Among them were former NL MVP Ryan Braun, who agreed to a 65-game ban, and three-time AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, who is suspended for the entire 2014 season.

Nadal to face Djokovic in Sony Open final

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.

No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic advanced to the Sony Open final without playing a point Friday. Both received walkovers when their semifinal opponents withdrew for health reasons. That left Nadal and Djokovic to play for the title Sunday in their 40th career meeting and their first of 2014.

Djokovic was given a walkover for the second time in the tournament when Kei Nishikori withdrew because of a left groin injury. Four hours later, Tomas Berdych pulled out before his match against Nadal due to gastroenteritis. Perhaps a thousand fans arrived at the stadium unaware the Nadal match had been canceled, and they jeered the announcement.

On Saturday, No. 1 Serena Williams will try for her seventh Key Biscayne title when she plays No. 2 Li Na — health permitting.

Raiders sign RB Maurice Jones-Drew

ALAMEDA, Calif.

Free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew is coming back home to Oakland after signing a three-year contract with the Raiders on Friday. Jones-Drew returns to his native Bay Area after spending his first eight seasons with Jacksonville and starring in college at UCLA.

Jones-Drew joins quarterback Matt Schaub, defensive linemen Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley and receiver James Jones as successful veterans brought in by general manager Reggie McKenzie this offseason who are looking for a late career spark in Oakland.

The Raiders also signed two defensive linemen, bringing back Pat Sims to a one-year deal and signing former Green Bay Packer C.J. Wilson.

Jones-Drew had 8,071 yards rushing and 68 touchdowns for Jacksonville but was hampered by injuries the past two seasons.

Staff reports/Associated Press