It's Thursday!

It's Thursday (And will be all day). Here's what's happening....

************************************************

Today is August 19th, the 231st day of 2010. There are 134 days left in the year.

************************************************













NHL still looking into contracts of Hossa, Pronger and others.

Fernando Pisani signs with Chicago.

2010 RDO camp coverage.

************************************************


Today is the 29th birth anniversary of Willis J. Goobygoo Hebrank-Meissner, the greatest dog in the history of dog. I've had several dogs over the years, but Willis will always be my "forever dog." We were together for nearly 16 years and he was, until my wife Kim and son Jimmy came along, the best friend I have ever had.

He even has a webpage, which you can visit by clicking this linky link.

Happy Birthday Willis!

************************************************








Stampede play preseason games in Brookings, Luverne.

Here's all you ever wanted to know about the Lancers' Seth Ambroz.

Former Rider Zach Pearson signs with CHL's Mallards.

************************************************

Today is Potato Day. (I wonder if they closed all the banks, post offices and government offices in Idaho today?)

************************************************








U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team Falls to Canada, 4-1,
at 2010 Women's Under-22 Series

Monique Lamoureux Scores for Team USA

Toronto, Ontario – Monique Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) scored a third-period goal, but the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team fell to Canada, 4-1, here tonight in the first game of the Women's Under-22 Series, held at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto, Ont.

"We played very well tonight, with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm," said Digit Murphy, head coach of the 2010 U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team. "We had scoring opportunities, played hard and blocked a lot of shots."

After a scoreless first period, Laura Fortino gave Canada a 1-0 edge midway through the second frame. Canada then scored two more goals to take a 3-0 lead into the third period.

Monique Lamoureux cut the deficit to 3-1 for Team USA, when she notched a goal five minutes into the final period. After a U.S. shot from the point was blocked, Jocelyne Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) sent a pass behind a Canadian defender to Monique Lamoureux, who converted on the breakaway opportunity.

But the U.S. failed to mount a comeback, as Canada scored the game's final goal with less than three minutes remaining. Goaltender Alyssa Grogan (Eagan, Minn.) made 28 saves in the loss for Team USA.

The two teams will return to the ice tomorrow (Aug. 19) at 7:15 p.m. EDT. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The 22 players hail from 12 states ... The University of Minnesota leads the way with six players on the U.S. roster, while the University of Wisconsin boasts three ... Monique Lamoureux is the twin sister of Jocelyne Lamoureux. Both play at the University of North Dakota ... Digit Murphy, head women's ice hockey coach at Brown University, is serving as the head coach for the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team. She is assisted by Linda Lundigran and Hilary Witt, who are both assistant women's ice hockey coaches at Northeastern University.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

CAN 0 - 3 - 1 - 4
USA 0 - 0 - 1 - 1

First Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, Decker (hooking), 3:58; CAN, Wakefield (holding), 8:09; USA, M. Lamoureux (high-sticking), 15:40.

Second Period - Scoring: 1, CAN, Fortino (Karepenko), 11:37; 2, CAN, Saulnier (White, Birchard), 16:13; 3, CAN, Spooner (unassisted), 18:25. Penalties: USA, Schleper (tripping), 3:14; CAN, Birchard (interference), 12:08.

Third Period - Scoring: 4, USA, M. Lamoureux (J. Lamoureux), 5:12; 5, CAN, Wong (Jenner, Wakefield), 17:11. Penalties: USA, J. Lamoureux (slashing), 8:42.

Shots by Period 1 2 3 Total
CAN 7 12 13 32
USA 9 11 10 30

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
CAN, Lacasse, 60:00 9-9 11-11 10-9 30-29
USA, Grogan, 60:00 7-7 12-9 13-12 32-28

Power Play: CAN 0-4; USA 0-2
Penalties: CAN 2-4; USA 4-8

Team USA 2010 Women's Under-22 Series Schedule
August 18-21 • Toronto, Ont. • MasterCard Centre

Date Opponent Time (EDT)/Result

Wed., Aug. 18 Canada L, 1-4
Thurs., Aug. 19 Canada 7:15 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 21 Canada 7:15 p.m.

U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team Tops Canada, 4-1,
at 2010 Women's Under-18 Series

Skarupa Scores Twice in Victory

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Haley Skarupa (Rockville, Md.) scored two goals, including the game-winner, as the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team topped Canada, 4-1, in the opening game of the 2010 Women's Under-18 Series here today.

"The girls did a great job to rally after Canada scored the first goal," said Jodi McKenna, head coach of the 2010 U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team. "The team gained confidence and we really settled down and found our game."

Canada struck first, but Team USA tied the score, 1-1, in the final minute of the first period. Emily Pfalzer (Getzville, N.Y.) skated up the right boards and slipped the puck to Karley Sylvester (Warroad, Minn.) streaking toward the net. Sylvester fired an initial shot, and Pfalzer crashed the net to poke the rebound through the legs of Canadian goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens.

Team USA extended its lead to 3-1 with a pair of second-period goals. Skarupa retrieved her own rebound and fired a wrist shot into the back of the net to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead less than five minutes into the middle frame. Then, just 43 seconds later, she notched her second in a row, beating Desbiens high on the glove side.

Layla Marvin (Warroad, Minn.) finished off the scoring for the U.S. with the lone third-period goal at the 11:23 mark.

U.S. goaltender Megan Miller (Long Grove, Ill.) made 17 saves in the victory, while Desbiens stopped 38 shots in the loss.

The two teams will return to the ice tomorrow (Aug. 19) at 4:00 p.m. EDT at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: The Women's Under-18 Series is in its fourth year ... The U.S. roster includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders ... The 22 players on the U.S. roster represent 11 states ... Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.) is the daughter of U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup champion Bobby Carpenter ... Layla Marvin is the cousin of 2010 U.S. Olympian Gigi Marvin... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... Jodi McKenna, head women's ice hockey coach at Wesleyan University, is serving as the head coach for the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team. She is assisted by Brian Durocher, head women's ice hockey coach at Boston University, and Emily McKissock, former assistant women's ice hockey coach at the University of Vermont ... The roster was selected following the annual USA Hockey Girls' Select 17 Player Development Camp, which provides top young players with concentrated on- and off-ice training and instruction as well as the opportunity to compete at a national level against other players from their age group.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 1 - 2 - 1 - 4
CAN 1 - 0 - 0 - 1

First Period - Scoring: 1, CAN, Davidson (Josephs), 9:33; 2, USA, Pfalzer (unassisted), 19:40. Penalties: USA, Savage (hooking), 0:38; CAN, Roesler (tripping), 4:07; CAN, Davidson (tripping), 6:30; CAN, Shields (interference), 11:35; CAN, Roesler (body-checking), 16:28.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, USA, Skarupa (Marvin), 4:30; 4, USA, Skarupa (unassisted), 5:13. Penalties: CAN, Roesler (hooking), 5:26.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, USA, Marvin (Sylvester), 11:23. Penalties: CAN, Roesler (body-checking), 5:56; CAN, Mercer (hooking), 14:15.

Shots by Period 1 2 3 Total
USA 14 17 11 42
CAN 4 3 11 18

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Miller, 60:00 4-3 3-3 11-11 18-17
CAN, Desbiens, 60:00 14-13 17-15 11-10 42-38

Power Play: USA 0-7; CAN 0-1
Penalties: USA 1-2; CAN 7-14

Team USA 2010 Women's Under-18 Series
August 18-21 • Olympic Center • Lake Placid, N.Y.

Date Opponent Time (EDT)/Result

Wed., Aug. 18 Canada W, 4-1
Thurs., Aug. 19 Canada 4:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 21 Canada 10:00 a.m.


U.S. Under-17 Select Team Defeats Czech Republic, 5-3,
in Opening Game of 2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament

Team USA to Face Slovakia on Friday

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - Ryan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal and collected two assists, as the U.S. Under-17 Select Team defeated the Czech Republic, 5-3, here today in its opening game of the 2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

"It was a tremendous effort by our special teams today," said Sean Tremblay, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. "I was very pleased with our penalty kill. This victory is a great first step towards winning this tournament."

The Czech Republic scored the game's lone first-period goal, but Team USA rallied to take a 2-1 lead early in the second. Troy Donnay (Fenton, Mich.) scored the equalizer just one minute into the middle frame on a rebound off of a shot by Zach Stepan (Fairbault, Minn.).

Less than four minutes later, Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.) notched a breakaway goal to give Team USA its first lead. Fitzgerald sent a pass the length of the ice and connected with Koules, who shot the puck between the legs of Czech goaltender Marek Langhamer.

After the Czech Republic evened the score, 2-2, the U.S. regained its lead when Nicholas Schilkey (Smiths Creek, Mich.) picked up a rebound in front of the net and scored at the 14:10 mark of the second period.

The Czechs responded to tie the game, 3-3, early in the third. But Fitzgerald scored to put the U.S. ahead for good at the 6:21 mark of the final period. After Grant Webermin (Novi, Mich.) sent a transition pass up the ice to Stepan, Fitzgerald crashed the net and redirected a feed from Stepan for the eventual game-winning goal.

Sam Piazza (Darien, Ill.) closed out the scoring midway through the final frame when he skated in alone from the point to the high slot and fired a shot that beat Langhamer low to the stick side.

U.S. goaltender Brandon Hope (Canton, Mich.) made 15 saves in the victory, while Langhamer stopped 39 shots in the loss.

The U.S. Under-17 Select Team will next face Slovakia on Friday (Aug. 20) at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

NOTES: Team USA was 1-for-7 on the power play, while the Czech Republic went 3-for-13 with the man-advantage ... The U.S. outshot the Czech Republic, 44-18 ... The 2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament includes teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States ... Sean Tremblay is serving as head coach and Matt Herr as assistant coach. Tremblay served as the assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. Under-17 Select Team at the 2006 Under-17 Three Nations Tournament in Rochester, N.Y. He serves as general manager and head coach of the Eastern Junior Hockey League's New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. Herr has been the head varsity hockey coach at the Kent School in Kent, Conn., since 2005. Tremblay and Herr are both Level 4 USA Hockey certified coaches ... For the full Team USA roster, click here ... The U.S. Under-17 Select Team was chosen following the annual USA Hockey Boys' Select 16 Player Development Camp, held June 25-July 1, at the Sports Centre at MCC in Rochester, N.Y. The camp provides top young players with concentrated on- and off-ice training and instruction as well as the opportunity to compete at a national level against other players from their age group.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 0 - 3 - 2 - 5
CZE 1 - 1 - 1 - 3

First Period - Scoring: 1, CZE, Matejcek (Plasil), 17:59 (5x3 pp). Penalties: CZE, Team (too-many-players), 2:34; CZE, Plasil (interference), 5:51; USA, Donnay (roughing), 10:31; CZE, Team (too-many-players), 12:36; USA, Schilkey (tripping), 17:33; USA, Fitzgerald (hooking), 17:33; USA, Rowe (slashing), 18:34.

Second Period - Scoring: 2, USA, Donnay (Stepan, Barber), 1:01; 3, USA, Koules (Fitzgerald), 4:54; 4, CZE, Plasil (Schleiss), 8:54 (pp); 5, USA, Schilkey (Dries, Rowe), 14:10. Penalties: CZE, Mikyska (interference), 5:30; USA, Osterberg (cross-checking), 7:02; CZE, Knot (roughing), 9:20; USA, Webermin (elbowing), 9:39; CZE, Dolejs (elbowing), 9:39; CZE, Team (delaying-the-game), 11:53; USA, Piazza (tripping), 17:40; USA, Webermin (charging), 20:00.

Third Period - Scoring: 6, CZE, Psota (Volek, Plasil), 1:43 (5x3 pp); 7, USA, Fitzgerald (Stepan, Koules), 6:21; 8, USA, Piazza (Fitzgerald), 9:14. Penalties: USA, Wade (cross-checking), 0:30; USA, Hope (slashing), 2:15; USA, Team (delaying-the-game), 3:44; CZE, team (delaying-the-game), 9:06; USA, team (delaying-the-game), 11:55; USA, Morgan (roughing), 16:30; USA, Michaelson (high-sticking), 16:30.

Shots by Period 1 2 3 Total
USA 8 22 14 44
CZE 5 5 8 18

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Hope, 60:00 5-4 5-4 8-7 18-15
CZE, Langhamer, 60:00 8-8 22-19 14-12 44-39

Power Play: USA 1-7; CZE 3-13
Penalties: USA 14-28; CZE 8-16

2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament • Team USA Schedule
August 18-22 • Huttwil, Switzerland

Date Opponent Time (Local/EDT)/Result

Mon., Aug. 16* Switzerland W, 6-3
Wed., Aug. 18 Czech Republic W, 5-3
Fri., Aug. 20 Slovakia 3:30 p.m./9:30 a.m.
Sat., Aug. 21 Switzerland 7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 22 Germany 11:30 a.m./5:30 a.m.
*Exhibition

************************************************

Today is National Medical Dosimetrist Day. (Linky linky)

************************************************







The 5-2 Riders(Second in the CFL West, 2 points behind Calgary) start bye-week workouts this Saturday. They return to game action on Saturday, August 28th at Edmonton against the 1-6 Eskimos, with kickoff set for 7:00pm EDT on 620CKRM and the Rider Radio Network. Listen links are to the right on this blog.

Check out Riderville.com for the latest on "Canada's (And Clearwater, Florida's) Team."

************************************************

Today is Black Cow Root Beer Float Day. With smooth vanilla ice cream, coppery root beer, and frothy foam, a root beer float is an all-American classic. Root beer was manufactured, bottled, and sold starting in 1880, and legend has it that thirteen years later, the root beer float, which is sometimes referred to as a black cow, was first invented. After glancing out the window late one night, Frank Wisner of Cripple Creek, Colorado, was inspired to float a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of his glass of root beer. The illumination of the full moon allowed him to glimpse the snow on top of nearby Cow Mountain. The tasty treat was tremendously popular among the town's children, who then called it a "black cow."

************************************************

Today in Sports History:

1909 - The first car race to be run on brick occurred at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1909 - The Philadelphia Phillies were rained out a major-league record 10th consecutive day.

1917 - Team managers John McGraw and Christy Matthewson were arrested for breaking New York City's blue laws. The crime was their teams were playing baseball on Sunday.

1921 - Ty Cobb (Detroit Tigers) recorded his 3,000 career hit.

1951 - The St. Louis Browns sent a midget to the plate against the Detroit Tigers. Eddie Gaedel, wearing the number 1/8 and standing only 3 feet, 7 inches tall, walked on four consecutive pitches and was then replaced by a pinch-runner.

1957 - The New York Giants Board of Directors voted to move the team to San Francisco in 1958.

1962 - Homero Blancas shot a 55 at the Premier Invitational Golf Tournament held in Longview, TX. It was the lowest score in U.S. competitive golf history.

1981 - In Zurich, Switzerland, Renaldo Nehemia set a new world record with 110 hurdles in 12.93 seconds.

1995 - Bobby Thigpen (Chicago White Sox) got his 40th save of season and became the eighth and fastest to record 40 saves in a season.

1995 - Mike Tyson knocked out Peter McNeeley after just 89 seconds.

1996 - Paul Molitor (Minnesota Twins) tied Lou Gherig by hitting his 534th career double.

2002 - John Madden debuted on "Monday Night Football."

2004 - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig received a contract extension through 2009.

************************************************

Brett Favre is getting a $3.5 million raise for returning to the Vikings. (Well, 3.5 million and a punch card to the Country Buffet.)

************************************************













ST PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays made the most of 10 hits last night, beating the Texas Rangers 8-6, in front of 19,413 at Tropicana Field.

Carl Crawford scored on a first-inning double by Evan Longoria, putting the Rays on top 1-0. They made it 2-0 in the fourth when Longoria launched a bomb deep into the left field seats for his 16th home run of the season. Taylor Teagarden homed in the fifth for Texas, drawing the Rangers within 1, at 2-1. Tampa Bay would break the game open with 3 runs in their half of the fifth. B.J. Upton led off with a home run, Longoria doubled home Jason Bartlett, then a bases-loaded walk to Matt Joyce forced home Crawford, putting the Rays on top 5-1.

Each team scored once in the sixth. Texas got their run on a James Shields wild pitch, allowing Andres Blanco to score from third. Tampa Bay scored when Upton came home on a sac fly by Crawford, giving the Rays a 6-2 lead.

In the seventh, Kelly Shoppach doubled, then scored on Joyce's one-out single for a 7-2 lead. The Rangers got 2 back in the eighth. Joaquin Arias scored on a ground out by Andres Blanco, and Julio Borbon scored on a Josh Hamilton ground out, slicing Tampa Bay's lead to 7-4. In the bottom of the eighth, Bartlett scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Longoria, extending the Rays' advantage to 8-4.

Texas rallied in the ninth. Mitch Moreland homered with one out, bringing home Jorge Cantu with him, but Rafael Soriano came out to slam the door shut, as Tampa Bay held on for the series sweep of the Rangers, winning 8-6.

Shields allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings, with 6 strike outs and 1 walk for the Rays, evening his record at 11-11. Soriano's save was his 35th of the season. Derek Holland took the loss for Texas, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits, while fanning 8 and passing 4 over 4 1/3 innings' work. He's now 2-2.

The Rays are 74-46, and are tied with the Yankees for first in the A.L. East. The Red Sox trail by 5 1/2 and the White Sox by 9 in the Wild Card race. Tampa Bay plays the first of 4 games at Oakland tonight, starting at 10:05pm EDT. You can follow the Rays on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network. Tampa Bay continues their road tomorrow night in to Oakland, then moves on to Anaheim for 3 games with the Angels starting Sunday. All games through Friday, September 3rd, can be seen on Sun Sports.

Notes: Andy Sonnanstine(3-1, 4.10) goes to the hill tonight for the Rays. He'll be opposed by Oakland's Trevor Cahill(12-5, 2.50)....Carl Crawford hit his 100th career triple in Tuesday's game. He's just the 24th player since 1871 to accomplish the feat, and the first since Stan Musial did it in 1949. Crawford's 8 triples this season leads the A.L. He's led the league three previous times. He's also one short of 100 home runs in his career. Crawford is one of three players in Major League history (Ty Cobb and George Davis are the others) with 100 triples and 400 steals through his age-28 season.... Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis continued their rehab work by throwing bullpen sessions before Wednesday's game. Both are on track to return on consecutive days next week versus the Angels.

************************************************

Burger King has unveiled the country's latest heart-attack-inducing burger: the New York Pizza Burger. It's made up of four quarter-pound Whopper patties topped with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and a pesto-flavored Tuscan Herb Mayo, served on a 9.5-inch bun. Only a NYC BK will have it. (Finally, a valid reason to go to New York City!)

************************************************










The Yankees and Tampa Bay are tied for first in the A.L. East, Boston is 5 1/2 back(Boston trails by 5 1/2 games in the Wild Card chase and Toronto trails by 11), Toronto is 11 back and Baltimore is 32 1/2 games behind.

In the A.L. Central, Minnesota leads the White Sox by 5 games(Chicago trails by 9 games in the Wild Card race), they're 12 games ahead of Detroit, with Kansas City 19 back and Cleveland 21 games behind.

Out in the (not-so)wild A.L. West, Texas leads the Angels and Oakland by 8 games, with Seattle trailing by 21 games.

In the N.L. East, Atlanta leads Philadelphia by 2 1/2 games(The Phillies lead the Wild Card chase), the Mets are 11 behind, Florida trails by 11 1/2 games, Washington is 20 out.

In the N.L. Central, Cincinnati is 3 games up on St. Louis(The Cards are 2 1/2 behind in the Wild Card race). Milwaukee is 12 1/2 behind, Houston is 16 1/2 back, the Cubs are 19 1/2 behind and Pittsburgh is 29 games off the pace.

San Diego leads the N.L. West by 6 games over San Francisco(The Giants trail Philadelphia by 2 games in the N.L. Wild Card chase). Colorado sits in third, 10 games out, with the Dodgers trailing by 12 games and Arizona by 26.

************************************************










No matter how you crunch the numbers, they always show that Jimmy is my best little buddy!

************************************************







Philadelphia -- Full of optimism, the Giants e-mailed postseason invoices to their season-ticket holders Wednesday.

Then the Giants' uniformed personnel submitted a mostly unredeeming performance in an 8-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. That clicking noise you heard was the sound of thousands of people striking the "delete" key as they purged the Giants' hopeful missive.

The Giants' nosedive hasn't developed into a full-blown slump yet. But it's close.

Read more here.

Notes: Jonathan Sanchez(8-8, 3.60) gets the start tonight (7:05pm EDT) for the Giants. He'll go against Cole Hamels(7-9, 3.33)....Sanchez's win at Colorado on August 3rd, is the most recent recorded by a Giants' starting pitcher. Since then, the starters are 0-8, with a 5.74 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. Opposing batters have a .320 batting average in that time....San Francisco plays three at St. Louis starting Friday, then returns home for a nine-game home stand(Three games each with Cincinnati, Arizona and Colorado) next Monday.

************************************************

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened on this date in 1909.

************************************************

The Feds have announced today, that they plan to indict Roger Clemens on perjury charges, for lying at a U.S. House of Representatives' hearing on his alleged steroid use. An announcement is expected later today. Foxsports.com has the latest right here.

(Couldn't, in my opinion, happen to a *cough, cough* nicer guy.)

************************************************

Today in Elvis History:

1954 - Elvis Presley went to Sun Studios to record "Blue Moon."

1957 - Elvis Presley's single "Loving You" hit #28 in the U.S.

1967 - The soundtrack to the Elvis Presley movie "Double Trouble" hit #47 in the U.S.

1972 - The Elvis Presley album "He Touched Me" hit #38 in the U.K.

1974 - Elvis Presley began his 11th season at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.

1978 - The album "Elvis - NBC TV Special" hit #50 in the U.K.

************************************************











By the numbers: Combined yards.

Fournier finding his way in the pros.

Retro profile: Sonny Wade.

Visit the league's official website: CFL.ca.

************************************************

Today in Beatles History

1964 - In San Francisco, CA, the Beatles began their second American tour which would cover 26 cities.

1967 - Ringo and Maureen Starr had a baby boy, Jason.

1967 - The Beatles single "All You Need Is Love" hit #1 in the U.S.

************************************************








Chicago Rush kicker Chris Gould has been named the AFL's Kicker of the Year. Gould kicked 113-of-121 extra points(93%-#2 in AFL) and 11-of-15 field goals(73%-#1 in AFL), to lead all scorers in kicking points with 146.

Tulsa Talons defensive end Gabe Nyenhuis has been named the Arena Football League’s Lineman of the Year. Nyenhuis tallied 21 unassisted and 11 assisted tackles and recorded 15.5 quarterback sacks and 13 tackles for loss during the 2010 AFL season.

Chicago Rush wide receiver/linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo has been named the Arena Football League’s JLS Ironman of the Year. Alfonzo recorded 63 tackles, four interceptions(returning 3 for touchdowns) and 12 pass breaks ups this season. Alfonzo also played wide receiver, after a rash of injuries hit Chicago's receivers. He shined as a pass catcher, catching 28 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 26 yards and four TDs. Alfonzo was also named to the 2010 AFL All-Ironman Team. Also named to the squad were:

FB/LB Dan Alexander, Alabama Vipers

Finished the season with 84 rushes for 209 yards and 26 touchdowns…Also tallied 4 receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown…His 209 rushing yards was good for fourth best in the league. He also tallied 10 unassisted tackles and 12 assisted and two tackles for loss.

OL/DL Aaron McConnell, Alabama Vipers

Tallied 12 unassisted tackles and 8 assisted…Also nabbed 7.5 tackles for loss for an impressive 45.2 yards and 5 sacks.

WR/KR Jeff Hughley, Tulsa Talons

Finished the season with 113 receptions for 1,258 yards and 28 touchdowns…Had the second most All Purpose yards in the league (2,808), third most Kick Return yards (1,551) and fourth most All Purpose yards per game (175.5)

WR/KR Kenny Henderson, Dallas Vigilantes

Made 117 receptions for 1,286 yards and 23 touchdowns…Caught 99 kick returns for 1,931 yards, the most kick return yards in the league….also lead the league in All Purpose Yards (3,313) and All Purpose Yards per game (207.1)

WR/KR CJ Johnson, Alabama Vipers

Made 108 catches for 1,246 yards and 21 touchdowns…third in league in All Purpose yards (2,805), All Purpose Yards per game (187) and fourth in total kick return yards (1,449).

ArenaBowl XXIII will be held on Spokane Tribe Field at the Spokane Arena tomorrow night (August 20th), kicking off at 8:00pn EDT. Tickets for the Championship game are on sale through TicketsWest and can be purchased by calling 1-800-325-SEAT.

Go to arenafootball.com to download the nifty-tv player to watch the game. Curt Warner, AFL legend and former Super Bowl M.V.P. will provide commentary for the telecast of the big game.

************************************************

Today is Aviation Day.

************************************************











Riley's crew to wear Nike Pro Combat System of Dress Uniforms.

A recap of Day 9 of fall camp.

Here's a look at the 2010 Oregon State Beavers' football schedule.

The Beavers open the 2010 season against TCU on Saturday, September 4th at Cowboys Stadium. Kickoff is 7:45pm EDT, with TV from ESPN, online video stream at ESPN3.com and radio from the Beaver Sports Network.

************************************************

We love you, Philo. Today's the day Philo Farnsworth was born (1906). He gave us the first electronic televisions.

************************************************

Coming up:

Tonight --

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Philadelphia Phillies 7:05pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics 10:07pm EDT

Friday --

Nascar Nationwide Series: Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tennessee 7:00pm EDT

Arena Football Arena XXIII Championship Game: Tampa Bay Storm at Spokane Shock 8:00pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals 8:15pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics 10:07pm EDT

Saturday --

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals 7:15pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series: Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol Tennessee 7:30pm EDT

NFL Football: Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:30pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics 9:07pm EDT

Sunday --

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals 2:15pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics 4:07pm EDT

Indy Car: Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California 5:00pm EDT

************************************************

That's all for today. See you tomorrow