The Central Oregon Hotshots announced the addition of athletic big man Shawn Hampton to the team’s “most talented roster yet”, scheduled to play in the upcoming 2008 season.  Hampton, 6’10”, played at Rutgers University and Bowie State State before kicking off his pro career last year with the Baltimore Pearls (ABA), where he averaged 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Hampton should provide the perfect complement to the Hotshots' outstanding stable of perimeter players.  ... [full story]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - He's seen worse, written worse, filled out daily lineup cards that should've been scribbled with the eraser end of his pencil. He was, after all, the manager of the San Diego Padres through some of their darkest days. Of course, Bruce Bochy will not draw that sort of comparison, will not decry the San Francisco lineup that's been left him for the spring and summer of 2008. Life without Barry Bonds will ... [full story]

TUCSON, Ariz. - The clubhouse is empty, save for the most accomplished player in Arizona Diamondbacks history, not to mention the tallest. Just sitting still on a stool, Randy Johnson occasionally punctuates his sentences with a grimace, followed by a gentle twist at the waist that's designed to chase away the pain near the base of his spine. All the other Diamondbacks are across the street in the grass, doing preworkout stretches that seem fairly ... [full story]

A college soccer prospect was visiting the University of Washington in 2004 when she was offered some free candy inside a nearby hospitality tent. She accepted and took about $2 worth of treats. Big mistake.   SIMPLY COMPLEX - In 1952, the NCAA rules were spelled out in a 25-page pamphlet. Today, it takes three books and 1,105 pages to contain the rules. CNS Photo illustration.  Some violations come topped with pepperoni What happens when a fight ... [full story]

Some final thoughts from the West Coast Swing as the PGA Tour packs up and heads for those flat, flat courses and all of that sand and water in Florida ... One of the greatest rewards for fans of the Tiger Woods era is that it gives us all reason to dream. To think big. Really big. We have already seen Woods hold all four major championship trophies at one time, so we know it's ... [full story]

Open-wheel racing in America finally became a unified sport Wednesday, although the official announcement of the Indy Racing League-Champ Car World Series merger left many unanswered questions. The new IndyCar Series, however, will be an expansion of the current Indy Racing League with the Champ Car World Series disappearing as an entity - although not until after the Long Beach Grand Prix. Long Beach will be run on April 18-20, the same weekend as the ... [full story]

On HBO on Feb. 23, Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov came out trying to bat down each other's jabs. One got the feeling one was watching a couple of guys swatting at flies. A bit later, on the same network, there was a reminder that boxing can have grandeur. It came with the showing of "Joe Louis: America's Hero ... Betrayed," a documentary that followed Louis from his birth in Lafayette, Ala., through the period ... [full story]

  Practicing sidehill lies is important but it can be a challenge finding the opportunity. If you can find a practice range with slopes or have access to a golf course where you can practice sidehill lies, it would greatly benefit your golf game …  [full story]

Q: How do I play hands like A-Q suited in the blinds with a couple of limpers in the middle stages of a tournament? - Bruce, Delray Beach, Fla. A: I like to make a big raise there and just win the pot right there, or in a worst-   JON FRIEDBERG - Jon Friedberg won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2006 and made a 2007 WSOP final table in pot-limit hold'em. CNS Photo. case ... [full story]

SAN DIEGO - As expected, the San Diego Chargers released fullback Lorenzo Neal and free safety Marlon McCree on Thursday. In a somewhat surprising move, however, offensive tackle Shane Olivea was also released by the two-time defending AFC West champions. Neal, a three-time Pro Bowler in his five seasons in San Diego, had been on the trading block for a week. There were no takers, and the 37-year-old was let go with three seasons remaining ... [full story]

The Central Oregon Hotshots have announced the addition of three final players to the 2008 roster.  Jeff Dunn, Bryan Zamore, and Dustin Hummel have joined the team, finalizing this season’s line-up.  Dunn is the fourth member of the 2008 Hotshots squad to have earned IBL All-Star honors—joining Arthur Lewis, Chucky Frierson and Jamal Walker. Dunn, 6’5”, played at Linfield and Corban College before joining the Salem Stampede (IBL) in 2006.  Dunn averaged 24.8 points per ... [full story]

The end of the ice-fishing season is approaching.  It's not here, but it's closer.  This is good news in two very different ways.  Folks who prefer to fish in open water are glad to see the ice go away.However, those who enjoy ice-fishing know that some of the very best action of the year can take place in late season.  Some of my best ice-fishing down through the years has been in late February and ... [full story]

SAN DIEGO - Expectations were high in 2003 when Tony Gwynn was hired to replace Jim Dietz as coach of the San Diego State baseball team. There was talk of Mountain West Conference championships, NCAA regional appearances, even trips to Omaha for the College World Series. After five years, Aztecs fans are still waiting to realize those expectations. SDSU won a regular-season MWC championship in 2004, but the program's postseason drought has now reached 16 ... [full story]