News sports 2008-08-02 Andanh.com

Firebirds U13 team places second at nationals Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:15:00 EDT
The New England Firebirds 13U team was made up of 13 boys playing on a regulation size, 90-foot baseball diamond for the first time. But they played the game like men.
The talented AAU squad, made up primarily of players from the North Shore, left its mark on the national baseball landscape by finishing as runners-up in the AAU 13-and-under Division 1 National Baseball Championship. The Firebirds fell 11-4 to Chet Lemon's Juice, a team out of Florida, in the final last Saturday.

Dowd leads FC Stars in national appearance Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
Jean DePlacido
Peabody's Hayley Dowd not only led her FC Stars U14 soccer team in goals scored, but the entire U14 division at the United States Youth Soccer National Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas. The 13-year-old striker from Peabody, who played a year up from her true age group, had three of her team's four goals.

Ramirez sports new attitude, new number with LA Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
LOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez showed up at Dodger Stadium with a new attitude, a new number and a willingness to cut his flowing dreadlocks.
"I feel great, man. I'm happy," Ramirez told some 200 media members behind home plate about three hours before making his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers last night. "Whatever happened in Boston is in the past. I'm excited, man. I can't wait. I feel like I took 5,000 pounds off my back.

Sports Briefs Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
Basketball
North Shore Summer Hoops Boot Camp continues this week at Endicott College's Post Center in Beverly. The camp, for high school and middle school boys and girls, runs Tuesdays and Thursdays through August. Athletes are invited to attend the 2-hour, intense off-season training sessions from noon until 2 p.m. at the Endicott Gym.

Giants topple White Sox in Salem city series Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:36:00 EDT
LITTLE LEAGUE
There was only one scoreless half-inning last night at Forrest River Park, and it came in the bottom of the sixth when Giants pitcher Daniel Bailey held off the White Sox to secure a 12-10 win and deliver his team the Salem Little League title.

Rowley Rocket notches third win of season Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
On Auto Racing
Dick Casey
Chris Perley's third consecutive win at the Hy-Miler Nationals at Sandusky Speedway in Ohio was also his third victory this season of the four scheduled races in the ISMA Supermodified Association. The Rowley Rocket's dominance in the division for many seasons is a result of hard work and dedication of the crew, sponsors, and certainly one talented driver.

The Mighty Mile: Newburyport race provides pain to the unprepared Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:59:00 EDT
NEWBURYPORT — It's only a mile.
That classically misused statement of the Yankee Homecoming racing weekend is an expression commonly declared by runners new to the High Street Mile, and one that hasn't been uttered from past racers since their first sprint down agony lane.

Dropped into playoff race, Bay couldn't be happier Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

BOSTON — Jason Bay got an ovation in pre-game introductions, a second as he strode to his first Red Sox plate appearance, and a third after drawing a walk without swinging the bat.

COUTURE: Great debut doesn't solve all of Sox problems Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

BOSTON — A quick survey of the Red Sox clubhouse after their pre-game, closed-door team meeting found no trash cans filled with charred love notes, no unwound mix tapes and no balled-up tissues.

No looking back for Manny Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

LOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez showed up at Dodger Stadium with a new attitude, a new number and a willingness to cut his flowing dreadlocks.

BUZZARDS BAY REGATTA: An up-close look at racing Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

David Risch was bracing for a long, frustrating day. When he should have been shouting directions to his seven-member crew aboard Corsair, all he could do was have them practice setting the spinnaker.

Tippett ready to join LT in Canton today Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

FOXBORO — It was much tougher for Andre Tippett to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame than into an opponent's backfield.

GNB Mustang stars win zone opener Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

The Greater New Bedford Pony League 10-year-old All-Stars got it done with the bats on Friday, out-slugging a team from Southwest Randolph, N.C., 18-16.

Gatemen walk off with loss Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

Brett Milleville hit a walk-off home run for Brewster, giving the Whitecaps a 9-8 win over visiting Wareham on Friday.

For Sox, all Bay, all night Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

BOSTON Jason Bay made a smashing debut with Boston, tripling and scoring the winning run in the 12th inning as the Red Sox began the post-Manny Ramirez era with a 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Bingham: In old days, Manny's act wouldn't fly Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

At the risk of being contrary, I wouldnt have let Manny go.

Cape League: Brewster closes on second Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

BREWSTER Brent Milleville blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as Brewster beat Wareham 8-7 last night to close to within two points of second-place Harwich for the final playoff spot in the Cape Cod Baseball Leagues Eastern Division.

Cape League: Hyannis bests Bourne Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:00 EST

HYANNIS Dale Cornstubble was smiling because he had just driven in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Ortiz has most to lose with Manny being gone Sat, 02 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EDT
Bill Burt
BOSTON — David Ortiz sat in the Red Sox dugout before his turn at batting practice. He wasn't in a talking mood.
A few people tried small talk, about his love Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers — he played in Green Bay as a 19-year-old in the Minnesota Twins farm system — and his overall health.

Bay watch: Big day for openers Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:29:00 EDT
BOSTON — Jason Bay for governor.
OK, maybe that's a little strong, but the newest Red Sox starting left fielder got off on the right foot his first day on the job as Manny Ramirez's replacement.

Hill hired as NECC baseball coach Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
Northern Essex Community College didn't take long to hire a new baseball coach.
In need of a new coach after the resignation of Kerry Quinlan in June, the Knights hired Alexander Hill this week to take over the program.

Tomahawks giving boost to New Hampshire lacrosse Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
Five years ago, the idea of a summer lacrosse team in New Hampshire would have been unheard of. Now, the purple and gold New Hampshire Tomahawks, are a force to be reckoned with around the country.
Just four years ago, directors Chris Cameron, Chris Hettler, and Rick Senatore started the Tomahawks team with the idea that kids from the New Hampshire area with talent needed to be recognized by colleges. College recruiters have such little time during the season to scout high school talent, so the trio decided to create a summer team that could showcase players.

Calzetti, Derry Post 9 win big Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
Baseball
Derry Post 9 walloped Sweeney post 9-1 in the opening game of the New Hampshire American Legion playoffs. Bryce Calzetti was outstanding, striking out 10 over seven innings and allowing a single run.

Local Notes Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT
Baseball
Methuen West Baseball is registering players ages 6-17 for its fall program. Interested Methuen youth can obtain forms at www.methuenwestbaseball.com, by calling 978-416-7273 or by e-mail request to methuenbaseball@verizon.net.

Pack could pay Favre to stay away Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:39:00 EDT
Brett Favre's reinstatement to the NFL was held up again as the three-time MVP mulled getting paid not to play through a marketing deal with the Green Bay Packers that could resolve the standoff over his retirement.

Cats slug their way to win Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:39:00 EDT
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Erik Kratz and David Smith each hit monster home runs to lead the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to a 5-1 victory over the Connecticut defenders in front of 5,285 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium last night.

Red Sox-A's summary Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:39:00 EDT
Rookie comes through: Red Sox rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie had his first winning hit as a major leaguer, knocking in newly acquired Jason Bay with an infield single in the bottom of the 12th inning. Lowrie almost won the game in the 10th inning, lining a bases-loaded, 3-and-2 pitch to centerfield to end the inning.

Chinese Dir