Published: Saturday, December 23, 2006
LOCAL
LOCAL
Sean Baker commits
to Ball State
CANFIELD — Sean Baker, a three-year starter for the Canfield High football team, has made a verbal commitment to attend Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and resume his football career for the Mid-American Conference team, announced Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky.
Baker, a senior who was a starter at safety, tailback and quarterback, made the Division II all-state first team this year. He also was selected to the All-MAC and All-NEO first teams for the second straight year, while being named NEO co-defensive player of year.
Mooney blue chips
COLUMBUS — Mooney High juniors Danny McCarthy and Brandon Beachum will be honored as Buckeye Bluechips at the Touchdown Club of Columbus' awards banquet Feb. 10.
McCarthy, who plays safety and quarterback, and Beachum, a running back and linebacker, helped the Cardinals to a 14-0 record and the Division IV state title this season. They are two of just nine juniors who will be honored.
Warren Harding running back Daniel Herron, an Ohio State recruit, will be among 18 seniors honored. The TDC will also give awards to college standouts such as Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, Coach Jim Tressel and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.
Canfield hockey
GARFIELD HEIGHTS — Canfield High defeated Twinsburg, 3-2, in a hockey game Thursday. Tony Carney had two goals for the Cardinals and Zack Kovacs had one goal and two assists. Bill Pfau also had an assist for Canfield.
J-M, Leetonia makeup
LEETONIA — The varsity boys basketball game between Leetonia and Jackson-Milton has been rescheduled for Dec. 27. The junior varsity game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Canfield wrestling
CANFIELD — The Canfield High wrestling hall of fame induction was held recently at the A'LaCarte Banquet Center.
This year's inductees were James Gaca, Ray Najem, Robert Peet Sr., Jim Prather and Chris Roman, honored for their wrestling and/or coaching achievements. Larry Canale was honored for his service to the program.
REGION
Akron coach gets
five-year contract
AKRON — University of Akron announced Friday that men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the school through 2011.
Businessman still
interested in Penguins
PITTSBURGH — Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie said he continues to be interested in buying the Pittsburgh Penguins, a week after he unexpectedly withdrew his reported bid to buy the club.
Balsillie withdrew his bid Dec. 15 after he couldn't agree to terms with the National Hockey League, even though the Penguins had said they were satisfied with his proposal.
Balsillie reportedly balked when the league pushed for contract language that would prevent him from moving the team out of Pittsburgh.
NATION
Luxury tax
NEW YORK — The Yankees were slapped with a $26 million luxury tax by the commissioner's office, raising New York's total to $97.75 million over the last four years.
Boston, which missed the playoffs, was the only other team over the tax threshold and will pay $497,549.
Using the regular method of accounting, the Yankees finished with a $207.5 million payroll for their 40-man roster, according to final figures released Friday by the commissioner's office.
That figure was up from $206.6 million in 2005.
Boston was a distant second this year at $137.5 million, followed by the New York Mets ($116.6 million), Houston ($107.7 million), the Los Angeles Dodgers ($107.2 million) and the Los Angeles Angels ($104 million).
The World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals were 10th at $96.1 million, and the AL champion Detroit Tigers were 14th at $89.8 million.
Florida, last at $21.1 million, had less than half the payroll of Pittsburgh, 28th at $43.4 million.
Tampa Bay was in between them at $36.4 million.
Management calculated the average salary at $2,642,915. The players' association, whose calculation method differs slightly, had the average at $2,699,292 in its annual report this week.
Duke lacrosse
DURHAM, N.C. — The district attorney dropped rape charges Friday against the three Duke University lacrosse players after the stripper who accused them changed her story again.
But the men still face kidnapping and sex charges that could bring more than 30 years in prison.
Vindicator staff/wire reports
Saturday, December 23, 2006
LOCAL
Sean Baker commits
to Ball State
CANFIELD — Sean Baker, a three-year starter for the Canfield High football team, has made a verbal commitment to attend Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and resume his football career for the Mid-American Conference team, announced Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky.
Baker, a senior who was a starter at safety, tailback and quarterback, made the Division II all-state first team this year. He also was selected to the All-MAC and All-NEO first teams for the second straight year, while being named NEO co-defensive player of year.
Mooney blue chips
COLUMBUS — Mooney High juniors Danny McCarthy and Brandon Beachum will be honored as Buckeye Bluechips at the Touchdown Club of Columbus' awards banquet Feb. 10.
McCarthy, who plays safety and quarterback, and Beachum, a running back and linebacker, helped the Cardinals to a 14-0 record and the Division IV state title this season. They are two of just nine juniors who will be honored.
Warren Harding running back Daniel Herron, an Ohio State recruit, will be among 18 seniors honored. The TDC will also give awards to college standouts such as Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, Coach Jim Tressel and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.
Canfield hockey
GARFIELD HEIGHTS — Canfield High defeated Twinsburg, 3-2, in a hockey game Thursday. Tony Carney had two goals for the Cardinals and Zack Kovacs had one goal and two assists. Bill Pfau also had an assist for Canfield.
J-M, Leetonia makeup
LEETONIA — The varsity boys basketball game between Leetonia and Jackson-Milton has been rescheduled for Dec. 27. The junior varsity game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Canfield wrestling
CANFIELD — The Canfield High wrestling hall of fame induction was held recently at the A'LaCarte Banquet Center.
This year's inductees were James Gaca, Ray Najem, Robert Peet Sr., Jim Prather and Chris Roman, honored for their wrestling and/or coaching achievements. Larry Canale was honored for his service to the program.
REGION
Akron coach gets
five-year contract
AKRON — University of Akron announced Friday that men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the school through 2011.
Businessman still
interested in Penguins
PITTSBURGH — Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie said he continues to be interested in buying the Pittsburgh Penguins, a week after he unexpectedly withdrew his reported bid to buy the club.
Balsillie withdrew his bid Dec. 15 after he couldn't agree to terms with the National Hockey League, even though the Penguins had said they were satisfied with his proposal.
Balsillie reportedly balked when the league pushed for contract language that would prevent him from moving the team out of Pittsburgh.
NATION
Luxury tax
NEW YORK — The Yankees were slapped with a $26 million luxury tax by the commissioner's office, raising New York's total to $97.75 million over the last four years.
Boston, which missed the playoffs, was the only other team over the tax threshold and will pay $497,549.
Using the regular method of accounting, the Yankees finished with a $207.5 million payroll for their 40-man roster, according to final figures released Friday by the commissioner's office.
That figure was up from $206.6 million in 2005.
Boston was a distant second this year at $137.5 million, followed by the New York Mets ($116.6 million), Houston ($107.7 million), the Los Angeles Dodgers ($107.2 million) and the Los Angeles Angels ($104 million).
The World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals were 10th at $96.1 million, and the AL champion Detroit Tigers were 14th at $89.8 million.
Florida, last at $21.1 million, had less than half the payroll of Pittsburgh, 28th at $43.4 million.
Tampa Bay was in between them at $36.4 million.
Management calculated the average salary at $2,642,915. The players' association, whose calculation method differs slightly, had the average at $2,699,292 in its annual report this week.
Duke lacrosse
DURHAM, N.C. — The district attorney dropped rape charges Friday against the three Duke University lacrosse players after the stripper who accused them changed her story again.
But the men still face kidnapping and sex charges that could bring more than 30 years in prison.
Vindicator staff/wire reports
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Sean Baker, a three-year starter for the Canfield High football team, has made a verbal commitment to attend Ball State...
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