Rick Shepas to speak to Curbstone Coaches

Rick Shepas to speak to Curbstone Coaches

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

Rick Shepas, Youngstown City Schools Chief of Performance and Athletics, will be the guest speaker at Monday’s luncheon meeting of The Curbstone Coaches at the Avion Banquet Center.

The event begins at noon and the public is welcome to attend.

Ohtani wants written pitch from MLB teams

NEW YORK

Major league teams were given holiday weekend homework by Shohei Ohtani, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

The agent for the star pitcher and outfielder asked for written explanations in English and Japanese on how Ohtani would fit into each organization intending to bid on him and what makes the team attractive.

The memo from Nez Balelo, co-head of CAA Baseball, was distributed to all 30 teams by the commissioner’s office late Friday along with materials for the Dec. 1 vote on a new posting agreement between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. If the deal is approved, the 23-year-old is expected to be put up for bid later that day or the following day.

Balelo’s memo asks for a team to evaluate Ohtani’s talent as a pitcher and as a hitter; to explain its player development, medical training and player performance philosophies and facilities; to describe its minor league and spring training facilities; to detail resources for Otani’s cultural assimilation into the team’s city; to demonstrate a vision for how Ohtani could integrate into the team’s organization; and to tell Ohtani why the team is a desirable place to play.

Each team was asked to provide its answers in both languages as soon as possible. Clubs were told not to include any financial terms of a possible contract.

Hornets’ Howard fined for obscene gesture

NEW YORK

Dwight Howard of the Charlotte Hornets has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward Cleveland fans.

The NBA announced the fine on Saturday.

Howard made the gesture in the second quarter of the Hornets’ 100-99 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday night. He was captured on video mimicking a sexual act.

Howard is a 14-year veteran and eight-time All-Star. The 6-foot-11 center is averaging 15.5 points and 12.9 rebounds in 18 games this season.

Jets’ Ben Chiarot fined for butt-ending Perry

NEW YORK

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ben Chiarot was fined $3,763 by the NHL on Saturday for butt-ending Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry.

Chiarot brought the butt-end of his stick up into Perry’s jaw as the two battled for a puck in front of Winnipeg’s net in the second period of the Jets’ 4-1 road victory Friday. The hit drew blood and Perry required stitches.

Urawa Reds win Asian Champions League

Rafael Silva scored late to give Urawa Reds of Japan a 2-1 aggregate victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday.

The Brazilian fired home at Saitama Stadium in the 88th minute for a 1-0 win in the second leg. Silva also scored for Urawa in the 1-1 draw from the first leg in Riyadh.

Urawa secured its second continental title, 10 years after the first.

Al Hilal, reduced to 10 men late in the game, has yet to win the title and also lost in 2014 to Western Sydney Wanderers of Australia.

The Saudi club had more possession and chances but was unable to break down the compact host.

Frustration grew and, with 12 minutes remaining, Salem Al Dawsari was sent off for a late tackle.

With two minutes left, Silva sent 60,000 fans wild as he sent an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from just inside the area.

Staff/wire report