Southland gets a leg up on aerospace, advanced manufacturing grants

The Southern California region received a federal designation this week intended to funnel money into its aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry. The designation gives the region the first crack at $1.3 billion in federal grants.

Though the aerospace industry has shrunk here over the last few decades, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in announcing the designation that he thinks the new opportunity will invigorate the region's businesses and workforce, as well as the city's economy.

"We know how critical aerospace and advanced manufacturing have been to the history of Los Angeles, to the building of Southern California and this entire region," Garcetti said. "We're not ready to pack up yet. In fact, we think these are great jobs for the future."

A consortium of more than 80 organizations across L.A. County and Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties, called the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Southern California, was one of a dozen regions given first crack at the grants under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Initiative. The 12 regions were chosen from 70 applications nationwide.

Jay Williams, U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, said the federal initiative is "at the center of the [Obama] administration's efforts to support job creation and accelerate manufacturing growth to make our communities more globally competitive."

In Southern California, organizations within the consortium — made up of schools, nonprofits, businesses and government entities — will move to the top of the pile when applying for grants from 11 federal agencies.

Universities, school districts and nonprofits that are part of the consortium — among them UCLA, UC San Diego and the Montebello Unified School District — can apply for grants for workforce training programs to prepare technicians or engineers for jobs within the area's aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries.

Other organizations, such as the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., will work with companies seeking to get established in the region to help them find sites, buy equipment and cut through red tape.

The regions will have a designated liaison at each of the 11 federal agencies.

The agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Southland gets a leg up on aerospace, advanced manufacturing grants

The Southern California region received a federal designation this week intended to funnel money into its aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry. The designation gives the region the first crack at $1.3 billion in federal grants.

Though the aerospace industry has shrunk here over the last few decades, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in announcing the designation that he thinks the new opportunity will invigorate the region's businesses and workforce, as well as the city's economy.

"We know how critical aerospace and advanced manufacturing have been to the history of Los Angeles, to the building of Southern California and this entire region," Garcetti said. "We're not ready to pack up yet. In fact, we think these are great jobs for the future."

A consortium of more than 80 organizations across L.A. County and Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties, called the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Southern California, was one of a dozen regions given first crack at the grants under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Initiative. The 12 regions were chosen from 70 applications nationwide.

Jay Williams, U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, said the federal initiative is "at the center of the [Obama] administration's efforts to support job creation and accelerate manufacturing growth to make our communities more globally competitive."

In Southern California, organizations within the consortium — made up of schools, nonprofits, businesses and government entities — will move to the top of the pile when applying for grants from 11 federal agencies.

Universities, school districts and nonprofits that are part of the consortium — among them UCLA, UC San Diego and the Montebello Unified School District — can apply for grants for workforce training programs to prepare technicians or engineers for jobs within the area's aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries.

Other organizations, such as the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., will work with companies seeking to get established in the region to help them find sites, buy equipment and cut through red tape.

The regions will have a designated liaison at each of the 11 federal agencies.

The agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State win NCAA openers

J.D. Davis hit a two-out eighth-inning grand slam, lifting Cal State Fullerton to a 5-1 victory over Nebraska in the first game of the Stillwater, Okla., regional Friday.

Fullerton (33-22) won its eighth consecutive game and advanced to Saturday's winners' bracket matchup against the winner of Friday night's Oklahoma State-Binghamton contest.

Nebraska (40-20) will play in the consolation bracket Saturday.

Davis, who had already ended Cornhuskers starter Chance Sinclair's no-hitter in the seventh, was the first batter to face Nebraska reliever Josh Roeder. He promptly sent a 2-1 pitch about 30 feet over the left field wall to clear the bases.

Long Beach State 6, North Carolina 1: Eric Hutting and Carlton Vaughn had two-run hits in the fourth inning to lead Long Beach State over the Tar Heels in the Gainesville, Fla., regional.

After being retired in order in their first three at-bats, the Dirtbags (33-24), batted around in the fourth against Tar Heels starter Trent Thornton (7-4) to score all of their runs. They scored on all of their five hits.

Long Beach sophomore Andrew Rorhbach (7-2) didn't allow a run until the ninth. He gave up seven hits and did not walk a batter in 8 1/3 innings. Long Beach plays the Florida-College of Charleston winner; North Carolina (34-26) plays the loser.

Pepperdine 3, Arizona State 2: Austin Davidson had a two-run double, Corey Miller pitched into the seventh inning, and the Waves (40-16) held off the Sun Devils at San Luis Obispo.

Miller gave up two runs and three hits in 7 1/3 innings. Eric Karch got his 14th save.

Lilek got only two outs for Arizona State (33-23) before leaving the game because of a sternum injury.

UC Irvine 10, Nevada Las Vegas 3: Connor Spencer hit a two-run double in a five-run fifth inning and the Anteaters cruised in the opener at Corvallis, Ore.

Spencer went two for five with three RBIs for the Anteaters (36-22). Andrew Morales (10-2) gave up two runs and four hits over seven innings, striking out four. Relief pitchers Mitch Merten and Matt Fielding did not yield a hit in the final two innings.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Private donors commit $65 million to studying youth concussions

With the focus on concussions in young athletes intensifying across the nation, the White House on Wednesday unveiled a raft of initiatives aimed at preventing mild traumatic brain injury and improving its diagnosis and treatment in children.

Readying for a White House event Thursday focusing on youth sports and brain safety, officials announced a fresh commitment of $65 million in private funds to boost clinical and scientific work.

In addition to $30 million from the NCAA and a new pledge of $25 million from the NFL for separate endeavors, a $10-million gift to UCLA from Hollywood executive and New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch will help get a national tracking system for concussions off the ground.

"Hopefully, 20 years from today, athletes won't be discovering the head injuries that football players now are discovering they may have gotten when they were playing in high school and college," said Tisch, whose son plays high school football and whose daughter plays lacrosse. "This is kind of a new frontier."

Tisch's donation will sustain and expand a university program that since 2012 has treated 600 young patients with brain injuries and studied the after-effects of concussions in middle school, high school and college athletes.

"This commitment will launch our program to the next level," said Dr. Christopher Giza, a pediatric neurologist and director of the newly named UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSport Program. In the coming years, Giza said, the program hopes to broaden its reach into schools and youth sports leagues across the region; fuel advances in diagnosis, care and recovery; and clarify the longer-term effects of concussion on the still-developing brain.

In a briefing Wednesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said reports that concussions may set the stage for learning problems, mental health issues and even dementia have made parents wary of allowing their children to participate in organized athletics.

In late 2013, President Obama reflected that growing concern, saying that if he had a son, he would not let him play pro football. But given the Obamas' interest in sports and the first lady's campaign to boost physical activity among the nation's children, Carney said, the president has been eager to raise awareness and boost research on something that "really is a topic of conversation across the country."

A report last fall by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine found significant gaps in what is known about the effects of repeated blows to the developing brain.

The panel recommended that, until more is known, leagues, coaches and parents should take several precautions: A child who has been hit hard in the head should be banned from playing until he or she has been medically evaluated. And game rules regulating safety should be strictly enforced. Those, for instance, penalize head-to-head contact in football and blindside hits to the head in hockey and lacrosse.

Some researchers suggest that the young brain may be more resilient to bumps and injuries and may rebound more quickly than that of an older athlete. Others fear that — because the young brain is still under construction and much of its wiring has yet to develop a protective, fatty coating — repetitive blows may be more damaging.

According to the latest available figures, about 250,000 people under the age of 19 were treated for concussions in 2009, up from 150,000 in 2001. And an NCAA survey of 15 college sports recently showed that between the 1988-89 and 2003-04 academic years, the overall rate of reported concussions doubled, from 1.7 to 3.4 per 1,000 "athletic exposures."

Among the public-private partnerships to be announced Thursday:

—The NCAA and the Department of Defense will launch a $30-million effort to fund the most comprehensive research to date on concussions and head impacts short of concussion. The collaborative effort will include an "educational grand challenge" aimed at improving safety behaviors and changing a culture — in college sports or in the military — in which blows to the head are seen as dings to be "shaken off."

—The NFL will commit $25 million over the next three years to support projects aimed at promoting youth sports safety. The league says it will launch pilot programs to expand access to athletic trainers in schools, in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers' Assn. Under a program called "Back to Sports," the NFL also will collaborate with the National PTA and the American Heart Assn./American Stroke Assn. to educate parents about sports safety and the value of athletic participation and an active lifestyle.

—The National Institutes of Health will launch a long-term study to detect, measure and track the lingering effects of repetitive blows to the head.

—The National Institute of Standards and Technology will invest $5 million over five years to develop advanced materials to better protect athletes, military personnel and others against concussion.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

Twitter: LATMelissaHealy

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Private donors commit $65 million to studying youth concussions

With the focus on concussions in young athletes intensifying across the nation, the White House on Wednesday unveiled a raft of initiatives aimed at preventing mild traumatic brain injury and improving its diagnosis and treatment in children.

Readying for a White House event Thursday focusing on youth sports and brain safety, officials announced a fresh commitment of $65 million in private funds to boost clinical and scientific work.

In addition to $30 million from the NCAA and a new pledge of $25 million from the NFL for separate endeavors, a $10-million gift to UCLA from Hollywood executive and New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch will help get a national tracking system for concussions off the ground.

"Hopefully, 20 years from today, athletes won't be discovering the head injuries that football players now are discovering they may have gotten when they were playing in high school and college," said Tisch, whose son plays high school football and whose daughter plays lacrosse. "This is kind of a new frontier."

Tisch's donation will sustain and expand a university program that since 2012 has treated 600 young patients with brain injuries and studied the after-effects of concussions in middle school, high school and college athletes.

"This commitment will launch our program to the next level," said Dr. Christopher Giza, a pediatric neurologist and director of the newly named UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSport Program. In the coming years, Giza said, the program hopes to broaden its reach into schools and youth sports leagues across the region; fuel advances in diagnosis, care and recovery; and clarify the longer-term effects of concussion on the still-developing brain.

In a briefing Wednesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said reports that concussions may set the stage for learning problems, mental health issues and even dementia have made parents wary of allowing their children to participate in organized athletics.

In late 2013, President Obama reflected that growing concern, saying that if he had a son, he would not let him play pro football. But given the Obamas' interest in sports and the first lady's campaign to boost physical activity among the nation's children, Carney said, the president has been eager to raise awareness and boost research on something that "really is a topic of conversation across the country."

A report last fall by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine found significant gaps in what is known about the effects of repeated blows to the developing brain.

The panel recommended that, until more is known, leagues, coaches and parents should take several precautions: A child who has been hit hard in the head should be banned from playing until he or she has been medically evaluated. And game rules regulating safety should be strictly enforced. Those, for instance, penalize head-to-head contact in football and blindside hits to the head in hockey and lacrosse.

Some researchers suggest that the young brain may be more resilient to bumps and injuries and may rebound more quickly than that of an older athlete. Others fear that — because the young brain is still under construction and much of its wiring has yet to develop a protective, fatty coating — repetitive blows may be more damaging.

According to the latest available figures, about 250,000 people under the age of 19 were treated for concussions in 2009, up from 150,000 in 2001. And an NCAA survey of 15 college sports recently showed that between the 1988-89 and 2003-04 academic years, the overall rate of reported concussions doubled, from 1.7 to 3.4 per 1,000 "athletic exposures."

Among the public-private partnerships to be announced Thursday:

—The NCAA and the Department of Defense will launch a $30-million effort to fund the most comprehensive research to date on concussions and head impacts short of concussion. The collaborative effort will include an "educational grand challenge" aimed at improving safety behaviors and changing a culture — in college sports or in the military — in which blows to the head are seen as dings to be "shaken off."

—The NFL will commit $25 million over the next three years to support projects aimed at promoting youth sports safety. The league says it will launch pilot programs to expand access to athletic trainers in schools, in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers' Assn. Under a program called "Back to Sports," the NFL also will collaborate with the National PTA and the American Heart Assn./American Stroke Assn. to educate parents about sports safety and the value of athletic participation and an active lifestyle.

—The National Institutes of Health will launch a long-term study to detect, measure and track the lingering effects of repetitive blows to the head.

—The National Institute of Standards and Technology will invest $5 million over five years to develop advanced materials to better protect athletes, military personnel and others against concussion.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

Twitter: LATMelissaHealy

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Private donors commit $65 million to studying youth concussions

With the focus on concussions in young athletes intensifying across the nation, the White House on Wednesday unveiled a raft of initiatives aimed at preventing mild traumatic brain injury and improving its diagnosis and treatment in children.

Readying for a White House event Thursday focusing on youth sports and brain safety, officials announced a fresh commitment of $65 million in private funds to boost clinical and scientific work.

In addition to $30 million from the NCAA and a new pledge of $25 million from the NFL for separate endeavors, a $10-million gift to UCLA from Hollywood executive and New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch will help get a national tracking system for concussions off the ground.

"Hopefully, 20 years from today, athletes won't be discovering the head injuries that football players now are discovering they may have gotten when they were playing in high school and college," said Tisch, whose son plays high school football and whose daughter plays lacrosse. "This is kind of a new frontier."

Tisch's donation will sustain and expand a university program that since 2012 has treated 600 young patients with brain injuries and studied the after-effects of concussions in middle school, high school and college athletes.

"This commitment will launch our program to the next level," said Dr. Christopher Giza, a pediatric neurologist and director of the newly named UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSport Program. In the coming years, Giza said, the program hopes to broaden its reach into schools and youth sports leagues across the region; fuel advances in diagnosis, care and recovery; and clarify the longer-term effects of concussion on the still-developing brain.

In a briefing Wednesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said reports that concussions may set the stage for learning problems, mental health issues and even dementia have made parents wary of allowing their children to participate in organized athletics.

In late 2013, President Obama reflected that growing concern, saying that if he had a son, he would not let him play pro football. But given the Obamas' interest in sports and the first lady's campaign to boost physical activity among the nation's children, Carney said, the president has been eager to raise awareness and boost research on something that "really is a topic of conversation across the country."

A report last fall by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine found significant gaps in what is known about the effects of repeated blows to the developing brain.

The panel recommended that, until more is known, leagues, coaches and parents should take several precautions: A child who has been hit hard in the head should be banned from playing until he or she has been medically evaluated. And game rules regulating safety should be strictly enforced. Those, for instance, penalize head-to-head contact in football and blindside hits to the head in hockey and lacrosse.

Some researchers suggest that the young brain may be more resilient to bumps and injuries and may rebound more quickly than that of an older athlete. Others fear that — because the young brain is still under construction and much of its wiring has yet to develop a protective, fatty coating — repetitive blows may be more damaging.

According to the latest available figures, about 250,000 people under the age of 19 were treated for concussions in 2009, up from 150,000 in 2001. And an NCAA survey of 15 college sports recently showed that between the 1988-89 and 2003-04 academic years, the overall rate of reported concussions doubled, from 1.7 to 3.4 per 1,000 "athletic exposures."

Among the public-private partnerships to be announced Thursday:

—The NCAA and the Department of Defense will launch a $30-million effort to fund the most comprehensive research to date on concussions and head impacts short of concussion. The collaborative effort will include an "educational grand challenge" aimed at improving safety behaviors and changing a culture — in college sports or in the military — in which blows to the head are seen as dings to be "shaken off."

—The NFL will commit $25 million over the next three years to support projects aimed at promoting youth sports safety. The league says it will launch pilot programs to expand access to athletic trainers in schools, in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers' Assn. Under a program called "Back to Sports," the NFL also will collaborate with the National PTA and the American Heart Assn./American Stroke Assn. to educate parents about sports safety and the value of athletic participation and an active lifestyle.

—The National Institutes of Health will launch a long-term study to detect, measure and track the lingering effects of repetitive blows to the head.

—The National Institute of Standards and Technology will invest $5 million over five years to develop advanced materials to better protect athletes, military personnel and others against concussion.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

Twitter: LATMelissaHealy

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. leans on subs to defeat Azerbaijan, 2-0, in World Cup tuneup

Second-half substitutes Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson scored to lift a heavy legged United States over Azerbaijan 2-0 on Tuesday night in the first of three World Cup warmups for the Americans.

On a night when captain Clint Dempsey was scratched just before kickoff because of a sore left groin, the 14th-ranked Americans had trouble breaking down No. 85 Azerbaijan.

Diskerud, a Norweigen-American midfielder entered in the 71st and scored four minutes later off Brad Davis' free kick.

With the ball high in the box, Diskerud headed it down to Michael Bradley, whose shot was cleared off the goal line by Elvin Yunuszade. Diskerud then banged the ball in from 6 yards for his third international goal.

He was wearing the No. 10 jersey that freed up when Landon Donovan was cut from the roster last week,

"For me, it's just a number," Diskerud said. "I feel like I'm just borrowing it. We'll play together someday, and he'll get it back."

Johannsson, a Icelandic-American, entered in the 62nd and scored his second American goal in the 81st with an open header from the top of 6-yard box off a corner kick by Davis, who replaced Graham Zusi at the start of the second half.

Tim Howard, making his 98th international appearance, got his 53rd win to tie Kasey Keller's U.S. record. The Americans began their intense two-week training camp May 14 at nearby Stanford University, and there appeared to be tired legs.

"I think we can be very happy with this game," Johannsson said. "We've been working ridiculously hard in training."

Next up is a match Sunday against Turkey at Harrison, New Jersey, followed by a game with Nigeria six days later in Jacksonville, Florida. Then the Americans head to Brazil for their seventh straight World Cup appearance and first-round matches against Ghana, Portugal and Germany.

"It was exactly what we need at this point of our preparation after two fully loaded weeks," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "It was a tricky game. You want to open it up with a goal, and it gets easier. You want to score a bit earlier.

Klinsmann made the controversial decision to cut Donovan, the American career scoring leader. Dempsey, slated to start up top with Jozy Altidore in a 4-4-2, was an unexpected absence.

"We don't want to risk here anything," said Klinsmann, who estimated Dempsey would heal in two-to-three days.

Chris Wondolowski, inserted in place of Dempsey, was stopped twice early by goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev, the first with a knee on a diving header in the fifth minute. Wondolowski's header off a cross from Alejandro Bedoya in the 15th was parried over the bar.

Azerbaijan, coached by U.S. adviser Berti Vogts, was outscored 5-0 in a pair of World Cup qualifiers by Portugal, the second U.S. opponent at the World Cup.

With wind whipping the corner flags early in the game at Candlestick Park, and even moving set balls out of place, a new-look U.S. defense was tested.

Fabian Johnson started at right back, with Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron as the central defenders, picked over Omar Gonzalez. DaMarcus Beasley, looking to become the first American to appear in four World Cups, was at left back.

Besler and Cameron played together in the middle once previously, against Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier last October. The Americans have no central defenders with previous World Cup experience for the first time since 1990.

Johnson started three games at left back last year but just once on the right — in the clinching World Cup qualifier against Mexico in September.

Michael Bradley was at the top of the midfield diamond, with Jermaine Jones deep, Zusi on the right and Bedoya the left.

This match became the true final football game at Candlestick, former home of the NFL San Francisco 49ers through last season and baseball's San Francisco Giants until after the 1999 season.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. leans on subs to defeat Azerbaijan, 2-0, in World Cup tuneup

Second-half substitutes Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson scored to lift a heavy legged United States over Azerbaijan 2-0 on Tuesday night in the first of three World Cup warmups for the Americans.

On a night when captain Clint Dempsey was scratched just before kickoff because of a sore left groin, the 14th-ranked Americans had trouble breaking down No. 85 Azerbaijan.

Diskerud, a Norweigen-American midfielder entered in the 71st and scored four minutes later off Brad Davis' free kick.

With the ball high in the box, Diskerud headed it down to Michael Bradley, whose shot was cleared off the goal line by Elvin Yunuszade. Diskerud then banged the ball in from 6 yards for his third international goal.

He was wearing the No. 10 jersey that freed up when Landon Donovan was cut from the roster last week,

"For me, it's just a number," Diskerud said. "I feel like I'm just borrowing it. We'll play together someday, and he'll get it back."

Johannsson, a Icelandic-American, entered in the 62nd and scored his second American goal in the 81st with an open header from the top of 6-yard box off a corner kick by Davis, who replaced Graham Zusi at the start of the second half.

Tim Howard, making his 98th international appearance, got his 53rd win to tie Kasey Keller's U.S. record. The Americans began their intense two-week training camp May 14 at nearby Stanford University, and there appeared to be tired legs.

"I think we can be very happy with this game," Johannsson said. "We've been working ridiculously hard in training."

Next up is a match Sunday against Turkey at Harrison, New Jersey, followed by a game with Nigeria six days later in Jacksonville, Florida. Then the Americans head to Brazil for their seventh straight World Cup appearance and first-round matches against Ghana, Portugal and Germany.

"It was exactly what we need at this point of our preparation after two fully loaded weeks," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "It was a tricky game. You want to open it up with a goal, and it gets easier. You want to score a bit earlier.

Klinsmann made the controversial decision to cut Donovan, the American career scoring leader. Dempsey, slated to start up top with Jozy Altidore in a 4-4-2, was an unexpected absence.

"We don't want to risk here anything," said Klinsmann, who estimated Dempsey would heal in two-to-three days.

Chris Wondolowski, inserted in place of Dempsey, was stopped twice early by goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev, the first with a knee on a diving header in the fifth minute. Wondolowski's header off a cross from Alejandro Bedoya in the 15th was parried over the bar.

Azerbaijan, coached by U.S. adviser Berti Vogts, was outscored 5-0 in a pair of World Cup qualifiers by Portugal, the second U.S. opponent at the World Cup.

With wind whipping the corner flags early in the game at Candlestick Park, and even moving set balls out of place, a new-look U.S. defense was tested.

Fabian Johnson started at right back, with Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron as the central defenders, picked over Omar Gonzalez. DaMarcus Beasley, looking to become the first American to appear in four World Cups, was at left back.

Besler and Cameron played together in the middle once previously, against Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier last October. The Americans have no central defenders with previous World Cup experience for the first time since 1990.

Johnson started three games at left back last year but just once on the right — in the clinching World Cup qualifier against Mexico in September.

Michael Bradley was at the top of the midfield diamond, with Jermaine Jones deep, Zusi on the right and Bedoya the left.

This match became the true final football game at Candlestick, former home of the NFL San Francisco 49ers through last season and baseball's San Francisco Giants until after the 1999 season.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. leans on subs to defeat Azerbaijan, 2-0, in World Cup tuneup

Second-half substitutes Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson scored to lift a heavy legged United States over Azerbaijan 2-0 on Tuesday night in the first of three World Cup warmups for the Americans.

On a night when captain Clint Dempsey was scratched just before kickoff because of a sore left groin, the 14th-ranked Americans had trouble breaking down No. 85 Azerbaijan.

Diskerud, a Norweigen-American midfielder entered in the 71st and scored four minutes later off Brad Davis' free kick.

With the ball high in the box, Diskerud headed it down to Michael Bradley, whose shot was cleared off the goal line by Elvin Yunuszade. Diskerud then banged the ball in from 6 yards for his third international goal.

He was wearing the No. 10 jersey that freed up when Landon Donovan was cut from the roster last week,

"For me, it's just a number," Diskerud said. "I feel like I'm just borrowing it. We'll play together someday, and he'll get it back."

Johannsson, a Icelandic-American, entered in the 62nd and scored his second American goal in the 81st with an open header from the top of 6-yard box off a corner kick by Davis, who replaced Graham Zusi at the start of the second half.

Tim Howard, making his 98th international appearance, got his 53rd win to tie Kasey Keller's U.S. record. The Americans began their intense two-week training camp May 14 at nearby Stanford University, and there appeared to be tired legs.

"I think we can be very happy with this game," Johannsson said. "We've been working ridiculously hard in training."

Next up is a match Sunday against Turkey at Harrison, New Jersey, followed by a game with Nigeria six days later in Jacksonville, Florida. Then the Americans head to Brazil for their seventh straight World Cup appearance and first-round matches against Ghana, Portugal and Germany.

"It was exactly what we need at this point of our preparation after two fully loaded weeks," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "It was a tricky game. You want to open it up with a goal, and it gets easier. You want to score a bit earlier.

Klinsmann made the controversial decision to cut Donovan, the American career scoring leader. Dempsey, slated to start up top with Jozy Altidore in a 4-4-2, was an unexpected absence.

"We don't want to risk here anything," said Klinsmann, who estimated Dempsey would heal in two-to-three days.

Chris Wondolowski, inserted in place of Dempsey, was stopped twice early by goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev, the first with a knee on a diving header in the fifth minute. Wondolowski's header off a cross from Alejandro Bedoya in the 15th was parried over the bar.

Azerbaijan, coached by U.S. adviser Berti Vogts, was outscored 5-0 in a pair of World Cup qualifiers by Portugal, the second U.S. opponent at the World Cup.

With wind whipping the corner flags early in the game at Candlestick Park, and even moving set balls out of place, a new-look U.S. defense was tested.

Fabian Johnson started at right back, with Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron as the central defenders, picked over Omar Gonzalez. DaMarcus Beasley, looking to become the first American to appear in four World Cups, was at left back.

Besler and Cameron played together in the middle once previously, against Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier last October. The Americans have no central defenders with previous World Cup experience for the first time since 1990.

Johnson started three games at left back last year but just once on the right — in the clinching World Cup qualifier against Mexico in September.

Michael Bradley was at the top of the midfield diamond, with Jermaine Jones deep, Zusi on the right and Bedoya the left.

This match became the true final football game at Candlestick, former home of the NFL San Francisco 49ers through last season and baseball's San Francisco Giants until after the 1999 season.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. soccer team to play World Cup tuneup Tuesday

Juergen Klinsmann has often compared building a soccer team to solving a puzzle. It isn't until you start putting the pieces together that you get a true idea of what the picture will look like.

And that's what Klinsmann, who finalized his 23-man World Cup roster last week, will begin working on Tuesday when his U.S. team meets Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in the first game in its three-game sendoff series.

"We want to see now … that they have a better understanding for each other on the field. Defensively and also offensively," the coach said of his players. "We want to just see kind of step by step things improving, which we give us more confidence.

"There's a lot of work right now going on on the training field. And it's just great to go out on a real field and measure yourself with a team."

But many of Klinsmann's players will be measuring themselves against each other as well. Three weeks before its World Cup opener, the U.S. appears undecided on three of its four starters on the back line, Matt Besler being the lone exception. There are also two positions open in the midfield flanking Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley and perhaps another at forward, depending on how Klinsmann uses Clint Dempsey. That leaves as many as six of the team's 11 lineup spots unsettled.

"We will definitely experiment here and there because we want to give the guys as much playing time as we can," Klinsmann said. "But we also want to already see a flow in our game. There's a lineup that looks in our eyes very strong. And very close to the one maybe we see in three weeks.

"So we'll try to kind of fit both. But it's not easy."

Azerbaijan isn't likely to offer much of a test. The former Soviet republic, which didn't become an independent nation until 1991, has never qualified for a World Cup or European Championship and is ranked 85th globally, its highest ranking.

And the U.S. is the only World Cup qualifier that even bothered to schedule a tune-up with Azerbaijan, almost certainly in a nod to its coach, former German national team player and coach Berti Vogts, a longtime Klinsmann confidant who will become a special assistant to the U.S. team after Tuesday's game.

The U.S. will have stiffer tests next week when it meets Turkey and Nigeria before leaving for Brazil and its World Cup opener against Ghana on June 16.

Yet, for all the things that remain up in the air, there is one question that could be answered Tuesday: with Landon Donovan gone, who will wear No. 10, a revered jersey number that usually goes to a team's most dangerous attacker.

"We want to keep that quiet for another day," Klinsmann said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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U.S. soccer team to play World Cup tuneup Tuesday

Juergen Klinsmann has often compared building a soccer team to solving a puzzle. It isn't until you start putting the pieces together that you get a true idea of what the picture will look like.

And that's what Klinsmann, who finalized his 23-man World Cup roster last week, will begin working on Tuesday when his U.S. team meets Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in the first game in its three-game sendoff series.

"We want to see now … that they have a better understanding for each other on the field. Defensively and also offensively," the coach said of his players. "We want to just see kind of step by step things improving, which we give us more confidence.

"There's a lot of work right now going on on the training field. And it's just great to go out on a real field and measure yourself with a team."

But many of Klinsmann's players will be measuring themselves against each other as well. Three weeks before its World Cup opener, the U.S. appears undecided on three of its four starters on the back line, Matt Besler being the lone exception. There are also two positions open in the midfield flanking Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley and perhaps another at forward, depending on how Klinsmann uses Clint Dempsey. That leaves as many as six of the team's 11 lineup spots unsettled.

"We will definitely experiment here and there because we want to give the guys as much playing time as we can," Klinsmann said. "But we also want to already see a flow in our game. There's a lineup that looks in our eyes very strong. And very close to the one maybe we see in three weeks.

"So we'll try to kind of fit both. But it's not easy."

Azerbaijan isn't likely to offer much of a test. The former Soviet republic, which didn't become an independent nation until 1991, has never qualified for a World Cup or European Championship and is ranked 85th globally, its highest ranking.

And the U.S. is the only World Cup qualifier that even bothered to schedule a tune-up with Azerbaijan, almost certainly in a nod to its coach, former German national team player and coach Berti Vogts, a longtime Klinsmann confidant who will become a special assistant to the U.S. team after Tuesday's game.

The U.S. will have stiffer tests next week when it meets Turkey and Nigeria before leaving for Brazil and its World Cup opener against Ghana on June 16.

Yet, for all the things that remain up in the air, there is one question that could be answered Tuesday: with Landon Donovan gone, who will wear No. 10, a revered jersey number that usually goes to a team's most dangerous attacker.

"We want to keep that quiet for another day," Klinsmann said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. soccer team to play World Cup tuneup Tuesday

Juergen Klinsmann has often compared building a soccer team to solving a puzzle. It isn't until you start putting the pieces together that you get a true idea of what the picture will look like.

And that's what Klinsmann, who finalized his 23-man World Cup roster last week, will begin working on Tuesday when his U.S. team meets Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in the first game in its three-game sendoff series.

"We want to see now … that they have a better understanding for each other on the field. Defensively and also offensively," the coach said of his players. "We want to just see kind of step by step things improving, which we give us more confidence.

"There's a lot of work right now going on on the training field. And it's just great to go out on a real field and measure yourself with a team."

But many of Klinsmann's players will be measuring themselves against each other as well. Three weeks before its World Cup opener, the U.S. appears undecided on three of its four starters on the back line, Matt Besler being the lone exception. There are also two positions open in the midfield flanking Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley and perhaps another at forward, depending on how Klinsmann uses Clint Dempsey. That leaves as many as six of the team's 11 lineup spots unsettled.

"We will definitely experiment here and there because we want to give the guys as much playing time as we can," Klinsmann said. "But we also want to already see a flow in our game. There's a lineup that looks in our eyes very strong. And very close to the one maybe we see in three weeks.

"So we'll try to kind of fit both. But it's not easy."

Azerbaijan isn't likely to offer much of a test. The former Soviet republic, which didn't become an independent nation until 1991, has never qualified for a World Cup or European Championship and is ranked 85th globally, its highest ranking.

And the U.S. is the only World Cup qualifier that even bothered to schedule a tune-up with Azerbaijan, almost certainly in a nod to its coach, former German national team player and coach Berti Vogts, a longtime Klinsmann confidant who will become a special assistant to the U.S. team after Tuesday's game.

The U.S. will have stiffer tests next week when it meets Turkey and Nigeria before leaving for Brazil and its World Cup opener against Ghana on June 16.

Yet, for all the things that remain up in the air, there is one question that could be answered Tuesday: with Landon Donovan gone, who will wear No. 10, a revered jersey number that usually goes to a team's most dangerous attacker.

"We want to keep that quiet for another day," Klinsmann said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Landon Donovan sets MLS all-time scoring record

It was a curtain call that Landon Donovan will never forget.

Coming off in the 82nd minute after scoring his second of two goals Sunday that helped the Galaxy beat the Philadelphia Union, 4-1, Donovan walked off the field a new man. He was the all-time top scorer in Major League Soccer.

The journey for the record had stretched eight months, since he tied Jeff Cunningham's record of 134 in October.

But setting the record had even more meaning after Donovan endured probably the most difficult week of his career.

On Thursday, Coach Juergen Klinsmann cut Donovan, who has been the face of U.S. soccer for the last 12 years, from the U.S. World Cup team.

Donovan, a three-time World Cup veteran, said he was surprised and disappointed by the decision.

He thought he was fit. He thought he had performed better than other players at camp. He thought he could even compete for a starting position.

"I'm sad," he said then. "I wanted to go, I really wanted to go."

And on Sunday, he put any doubt about his ability to rest.

It took Donovan, 32, less than two minutes to put his stamp on the game, setting up Leonardo's header for a 1-0 lead.

But the highlight came in the 49th minute, when Donovan tapped in a pass from Robbie Keane.

The stadium erupted. Donovan fell to his knees as the crowd of 21,000, which included his parents and sister, burst into chants of "USA! USA!"

"It's been a long week," Donovan said. "It's been a week where I had moments where I fell out of love with [soccer] a little bit and I want to make sure I keep enjoying it."

In the 64th minute, Keane took advantage when Sheanon Williams mishandled the ball in Philadelphia territory and scored to put the Galaxy ahead, 3-0.

But Donovan wasn't done. In the 81st minute, he took a pass from Keane on a counterattack and scored.

Maurice Edu, who was also cut from the World Cup team Thursday, scored for the Union on a penalty kick in the 88th minute.

"All day today my mind was wandering and thinking where else I could be today, but I kept coming back to being present and enjoy this game," Donovan said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Landon Donovan sets MLS all-time scoring record

It was a curtain call that Landon Donovan will never forget.

Coming off in the 82nd minute after scoring his second of two goals Sunday that helped the Galaxy beat the Philadelphia Union, 4-1, Donovan walked off the field a new man. He was the all-time top scorer in Major League Soccer.

The journey for the record had stretched eight months, since he tied Jeff Cunningham's record of 134 in October.

But setting the record had even more meaning after Donovan endured probably the most difficult week of his career.

On Thursday, Coach Juergen Klinsmann cut Donovan, who has been the face of U.S. soccer for the last 12 years, from the U.S. World Cup team.

Donovan, a three-time World Cup veteran, said he was surprised and disappointed by the decision.

He thought he was fit. He thought he had performed better than other players at camp. He thought he could even compete for a starting position.

"I'm sad," he said then. "I wanted to go, I really wanted to go."

And on Sunday, he put any doubt about his ability to rest.

It took Donovan, 32, less than two minutes to put his stamp on the game, setting up Leonardo's header for a 1-0 lead.

But the highlight came in the 49th minute, when Donovan tapped in a pass from Robbie Keane.

The stadium erupted. Donovan fell to his knees as the crowd of 21,000, which included his parents and sister, burst into chants of "USA! USA!"

"It's been a long week," Donovan said. "It's been a week where I had moments where I fell out of love with [soccer] a little bit and I want to make sure I keep enjoying it."

In the 64th minute, Keane took advantage when Sheanon Williams mishandled the ball in Philadelphia territory and scored to put the Galaxy ahead, 3-0.

But Donovan wasn't done. In the 81st minute, he took a pass from Keane on a counterattack and scored.

Maurice Edu, who was also cut from the World Cup team Thursday, scored for the Union on a penalty kick in the 88th minute.

"All day today my mind was wandering and thinking where else I could be today, but I kept coming back to being present and enjoy this game," Donovan said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Landon Donovan sets MLS all-time scoring record

It was a curtain call that Landon Donovan will never forget.

Coming off in the 82nd minute after scoring his second of two goals Sunday that helped the Galaxy beat the Philadelphia Union, 4-1, Donovan walked off the field a new man. He was the all-time top scorer in Major League Soccer.

The journey for the record had stretched eight months, since he tied Jeff Cunningham's record of 134 in October.

But setting the record had even more meaning after Donovan endured probably the most difficult week of his career.

On Thursday, Coach Juergen Klinsmann cut Donovan, who has been the face of U.S. soccer for the last 12 years, from the U.S. World Cup team.

Donovan, a three-time World Cup veteran, said he was surprised and disappointed by the decision.

He thought he was fit. He thought he had performed better than other players at camp. He thought he could even compete for a starting position.

"I'm sad," he said then. "I wanted to go, I really wanted to go."

And on Sunday, he put any doubt about his ability to rest.

It took Donovan, 32, less than two minutes to put his stamp on the game, setting up Leonardo's header for a 1-0 lead.

But the highlight came in the 49th minute, when Donovan tapped in a pass from Robbie Keane.

The stadium erupted. Donovan fell to his knees as the crowd of 21,000, which included his parents and sister, burst into chants of "USA! USA!"

"It's been a long week," Donovan said. "It's been a week where I had moments where I fell out of love with [soccer] a little bit and I want to make sure I keep enjoying it."

In the 64th minute, Keane took advantage when Sheanon Williams mishandled the ball in Philadelphia territory and scored to put the Galaxy ahead, 3-0.

But Donovan wasn't done. In the 81st minute, he took a pass from Keane on a counterattack and scored.

Maurice Edu, who was also cut from the World Cup team Thursday, scored for the Union on a penalty kick in the 88th minute.

"All day today my mind was wandering and thinking where else I could be today, but I kept coming back to being present and enjoy this game," Donovan said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Jeff Carter does it again, leading Kings to 4-3 win and series lead

You suspect the Kings' thank-you notes to the Columbus Blue Jackets might be getting too long and too wordy right now.

June 2012: The deep gratitude for the Jeff Carter trade. April 2014: Appreciation for sending Marian Gaborik out West to the Kings. May 2014? Ode to Carter, again.

The proven goal scorer is doing just that, along with facilitating and mentoring his young linemates, and has brought the Kings within two games of reaching the Stanley Cup Final again. Carter had a hand in all but one of the Kings' goals, scoring once and adding two assists in their 4-3 victory over Chicago in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night at Staples Center

His scoring explosion — seven points in the last two games — has brought linemates Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli along for the ride. They are both on four-game, point-scoring streaks, the best run of their young NHL lives. Toffoli put the Kings ahead for good with his second-period goal, not long after the hard-working Pearson had set up Carter in the slot to make it 2-2.

"They're working and they're having fun," Carter said. "They use their speed and their skill to create opportunities, and they're kind of dragging me along with them."

The Kings lead this best-of-seven series, two games to one, and Game 4 is Monday night in Los Angeles. It is their first lead against the Blackhawks in the playoffs in this postseason and last year's playoff series combined. The Blackhawks came out strong with first-period leads of 1-0 and 2-1, both of their goals scored by captain Jonathan Toews.

"It's a 2-1 series against the defending Stanley Cup champs," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "So I don't think there's such a thing as taking control. Both teams have shown they're able to battle adversity. But we did what we wanted to do tonight. We got the lead in the series, now it's about resetting and reloading."

They were able to make those key in-game adjustments after an up-and-down first period, which opened with them giving up a short-handed goal to Toews (who scored on a breakaway at 5:26). The Kings responded 50 seconds later with a power-play goal by defenseman Slava Voynov.

"We were just slow in our zone," said Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin, who assisted on Drew Doughty's third-period goal, which made it 4-2. "We gave them opportunities with the turnovers and being sloppy in our zone. We knew we had to get quicker and get the puck out of our zone and we did that."

The Elias Sport Bureau said that Carter is the first Kings player to score three or more points in consecutive playoff games since Wayne Gretzky did it in the Kings' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993.

"It's not a one-line deal," Kings Coach Darryl Sutter said. "Kopi's [Anze Kopitar] line didn't score a goal [in this round] — so got to spread it around."

The chemistry between Pearson and Toffoli, a byproduct of their time in the minors in Manchester, N.H., is obvious from a quick glance. Putting Carter, probably the Kings' most versatile forward, into that mix seems like a master stroke now.

"They're rollin', eh?" Muzzin said. "It's clicking right now. They've got a bunch of speed and a bunch of skill and they're working hard. They've got some chemistry going. Tic-tac-toe plays and little plays around the net. They kind of know where each other are, so they were huge for us tonight."

Said Carter: "You don't have to do much to get them to relax. They're pretty easy-going guys. Tyler was a big part of our team last year in the playoffs, especially when Mike [Richards] went out. He really stepped up. Tanner was around all playoffs, so he's kind of been through it and seen it.

"Those guys have played in big games before working through juniors and whatnot. They're great players and great players shine at big times."

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews leads but has few followers

Jonathan Toews let it be known before the puck dropped that his Chicago Blackhawks needed to play ticked off Saturday at Staples Center, then backed his words with two first-period goals.

If more of his teammates don't join his cause, however, more setbacks such as the Blackhawks' 4-3 loss to the Kings that left the defending Stanley Cup champions trailing, two games to one, in the Western Conference finals seem inevitable.

"We all want to win; 'Taser' is our captain and led the way, but we need everybody if we're going to beat this team," said Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith. "It's up to the rest of us to follow that."

The Blackhawks were denied on 24 of the other 26 shots against Kings goalie Jonathan Quick before a goal with an empty net came with five seconds remaining in the game.

Chicago also went scoreless on four power-play opportunities.

The Kings kept Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (69 regular-season points) scoreless on three shots. Chicago forward Marian Hossa (13 playoff points) was limited to a secondary assist with three shots blocked. And the visitors' leading scorer, Patrick Sharp, scored the final goal after five of his other shots were either blocked or missed.

"We've got to keep pushing for the next level, that's what it's going to take to beat these guys," Toews said. "We had our chances [on the power play], just couldn't find a way to put one in."

Toews did his best to set the tone, scoring the game's opening goal by taking a puck from Kings forward Justin Williams that Toews lost on a faceoff, racing toward Quick on a short-handed breakaway and beating the goalie to his left 5 minutes 26 seconds into the game.

Before the game, Toews told reporters his team was "not at all" deflated by Quick's memorable second-period save on Brent Seabrook in Game 2 that changed the course of the Kings' 6-2 victory in Chicago.

"We'll just keep putting pucks on him and we feel eventually they'll go in," Toews said.

With 6:41 left in the first, Toews again wouldn't be denied, pushing off Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin, controlling a teammate's pass with his right skate and scoring for a 2-1 lead.

The Kings surged ahead by keeping Toews without at shot in the final two periods.

Into that void marched no one.

"We just couldn't quite keep control," Toews said, disagreeing with the notion — perhaps for the sake of team unity — that his teammates didn't match his energy or desire.

Late in the third, Toews tried to act as a decoy, looking for an open teammate, but a pass to Keith led to one of 16 blocked shots by the Kings.

"Obviously, we could've been better," said Chicago center Michal Handzus. "You've got to go out and do it."

The Blackhawks were down in the first-round series against St. Louis and won, were tied with Minnesota after four games in the second round and won in six games.

Now, they need a victory in Los Angeles, and they're 2-5 on the road this postseason.

"We know we can [get] ourselves out of a tough situation," Toews said. "The motivation is right in front of us. There's nothing left to think about but give it all you've got. Next one is a big one … a must-win."

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

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Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews leads but has few followers

Jonathan Toews let it be known before the puck dropped that his Chicago Blackhawks needed to play ticked off Saturday at Staples Center, then backed his words with two first-period goals.

If more of his teammates don't join his cause, however, more setbacks such as the Blackhawks' 4-3 loss to the Kings that left the defending Stanley Cup champions trailing, two games to one, in the Western Conference finals seem inevitable.

"We all want to win; 'Taser' is our captain and led the way, but we need everybody if we're going to beat this team," said Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith. "It's up to the rest of us to follow that."

The Blackhawks were denied on 24 of the other 26 shots against Kings goalie Jonathan Quick before a goal with an empty net came with five seconds remaining in the game.

Chicago also went scoreless on four power-play opportunities.

The Kings kept Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (69 regular-season points) scoreless on three shots. Chicago forward Marian Hossa (13 playoff points) was limited to a secondary assist with three shots blocked. And the visitors' leading scorer, Patrick Sharp, scored the final goal after five of his other shots were either blocked or missed.

"We've got to keep pushing for the next level, that's what it's going to take to beat these guys," Toews said. "We had our chances [on the power play], just couldn't find a way to put one in."

Toews did his best to set the tone, scoring the game's opening goal by taking a puck from Kings forward Justin Williams that Toews lost on a faceoff, racing toward Quick on a short-handed breakaway and beating the goalie to his left 5 minutes 26 seconds into the game.

Before the game, Toews told reporters his team was "not at all" deflated by Quick's memorable second-period save on Brent Seabrook in Game 2 that changed the course of the Kings' 6-2 victory in Chicago.

"We'll just keep putting pucks on him and we feel eventually they'll go in," Toews said.

With 6:41 left in the first, Toews again wouldn't be denied, pushing off Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin, controlling a teammate's pass with his right skate and scoring for a 2-1 lead.

The Kings surged ahead by keeping Toews without at shot in the final two periods.

Into that void marched no one.

"We just couldn't quite keep control," Toews said, disagreeing with the notion — perhaps for the sake of team unity — that his teammates didn't match his energy or desire.

Late in the third, Toews tried to act as a decoy, looking for an open teammate, but a pass to Keith led to one of 16 blocked shots by the Kings.

"Obviously, we could've been better," said Chicago center Michal Handzus. "You've got to go out and do it."

The Blackhawks were down in the first-round series against St. Louis and won, were tied with Minnesota after four games in the second round and won in six games.

Now, they need a victory in Los Angeles, and they're 2-5 on the road this postseason.

"We know we can [get] ourselves out of a tough situation," Toews said. "The motivation is right in front of us. There's nothing left to think about but give it all you've got. Next one is a big one … a must-win."

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Will PokerStars be dealt out of legalized online poker in California?

In legislative proceedings, the most important words in a debate often are the ones left unmentioned. At a hearing held by a California state assembly committee last month about legalizing online poker, the unspoken term was PokerStars.

No hearing witnesses wanted to say outright that they were talking about PokerStars. It's the largest online poker company in the world, which wants in on the riches to be had if California legalizes Internet card play, but it also has faced federal charges of money laundering and fraud. So the April 23 discussion before the Governmental Organization Committee was filled with talk about California's "tremendously competent regulators," and how to keep unspecified "bad actors" out of California gaming, and how legislators should avoid "picking winners and losers."

These were code words for the most explosive issue still dividing California's Indian tribes — whether PokerStars should be allowed to participate. Since legalization depends almost entirely on what the tribes want, it's not a trivial matter.

The state's poker interests basically have coalesced into two groups. The one group is made up of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, which owns California's largest casino; the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; and the Agua Caliente, Pala and other tribes. The second group comprises the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, whose huge casino is located just northwest of Palm Springs; and the Bicycle, Commerce and Hawaiian Gardens card clubs. They've made a deal with PokerStars to run their online game.

The Morongo group complains that the two bills to legalize Internet poker in California introduced by Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), include language drafted specifically to keep PokerStars out of the state.

Because PokerStars, given its size and experience, arguably would be better at running an online poker game in California than anyone else, it's unsurprising that Morongo's chairman, Richard Martin, called the bills "just a smoke screen ... to give a competitive advantage to others." Nor is there any secret about who those "others" are — the Pechangas, San Manuels and other competing tribes. At the April hearing, Lynn Valbuena, San Manuel's chairwoman, demanded that "only those with a proven record of compliance with applicable laws should be in the [online] marketplace." She didn't mention PokerStars, but she didn't have to.

The PokerStars dispute comes as online poker is close to becoming a reality in California.

That's largely because the gaming tribes have ironed out a host of long-standing differences. The tribes seem resigned to letting non-tribal card clubs have a piece of the action. And for the most part they no longer fear that online poker would cannibalize their brick-and-mortar casinos; they now believe the online game will expand the market, if modestly, and that they need to participate to fend off competition.

There are still doubts that Internet gambling is a key to fresh riches. "We do not suffer from the irrational exuberance that says Internet Poker will generate hundreds of millions of dollars," Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro told the Assembly committee, but "we believe it's preferable to drive the bus rather than getting run over by it."

Some outside experts agree that the market potential has been overestimated. Gaming analyst Chris Krafcik cautioned that in New Jersey, which started running online poker games in November, the market grew through January, then "stagnated, and has since decelerated."

Krafcik projected that total revenues in California would reach $317 million in the first year of legalization, rising to $597 million in year four. If the state were to claim a 5% tax (the Jones-Sawyer bill) or 10% (Correa), that's less than $60 million a year. The sum is not nothing, but it is only six hundredths of a percent of the state's roughly $100-billion budget.

But there are other issues state legislators want ironed out before legalization. One is a role for the state's racetracks, which have taken a devastating hit in business since Indian gaming was made legal in 2000. They fear they'll be annihilated if online poker is legalized without their participation. Many tribes, however, regard extending card games to the tracks, on- or off-line, as an infringement of their nearly exclusive right to offer games of chance in California.

Then there's PokerStars.

Isle of Man-based PokerStars, like some other online gaming companies, operated in the U.S. for several years when the legality of Internet poker was murky. Congress had passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA, in 2006, but some poker firms argued that because poker is a game of skill, not chance, UIGEA didn't apply to them. Those doubts were extinguished on April 15, 2011 — gaming's "Black Friday" — when federal prosecutors unsealed indictments on charges of bank fraud, money laundering and violations of UIGEA. Isai Scheinberg, the founder of PokerStars, was among the 11 defendants indicted. He wasn't arrested because he wasn't in the U.S., and he hasn't crossed the border since. The company itself was charged with money laundering.

Only five months later, the Obama administration reinterpreted the law, holding that only sports betting was barred; pretty much everything else, including poker, was legal on an intrastate basis. Since then, online games have been legalized in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.

In July 2012, PokerStars settled the U.S. charges for $731 million. The company didn't admit wrongdoing. But Scheinberg remains under indictment.

Flash forward to 2014. The Correa and Jones-Sawyer bills, which would allow Internet licenses to be granted to gaming Indian tribes and card clubs, both include a "bad actor" provision.

Correa's bill bars any company that engaged in Internet gaming, including poker, after Dec. 31, 2006, a few weeks after UIGEA was signed into law. The current version of the Jones-Sawyer measure has similar language.

"We seem to be the only company that meets that standard," Eric Hollreiser, a spokesman for PokerStars, says wryly. The irony, he says, is that PokerStars is clean. He maintains that it didn't break the law, because it wasn't operating a game of chance, and points out that the U.S. government since has come around to its viewpoint.

As it happens, there's no guarantee that PokerStars could get licensed in California even without the bad actor provision. In New Jersey, where such judgments are left to regulators, the state Division of Gaming Enforcement isn't any happier about the company's background. The division last December suspended PokerStars' license application for two years, citing "the unresolved federal indictment against Isai Scheinberg" and "the involvement of certain PokerStars executives with Internet gaming operations in the United States following the enactment of UIGEA."

The difference between leaving the issue to regulators, and writing a ban into the law, is that gambling regulators' concerns can be assuaged by corporate action. The New Jersey regulators even offered PokerStars a road map: make Scheinberg deal with the indictment, and cleanse the company of any connections with those in charge during the UIGEA controversy. That probably means cutting ties with Scheinberg and his son, Mark, who is chairman and CEO of the company.

Once a bad actor provision is written into law, however, it's forever. Nothing PokerStars could do would eradicate its history of taking bets from Californians after Dec. 31, 2006.

The expectations in Indian Country appear to be that an Internet poker bill will pass this session. If you're inclined to bet — and if you're interested in online poker you just might be — the odds are that the bad actor provision will be dropped, and PokerStars will start putting distance between itself and the Scheinbergs.

But in politics, as in poker, you often don't know how things will turn out until the last hand is dealt. That hasn't happened yet.

Michael Hiltzik's column appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Read his blog, the Economy Hub, at latimes.com/business/hiltzik, reach him at mhiltzik@latimes.com, check out facebook.com/hiltzik and follow @hiltzikm on Twitter.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Will PokerStars be dealt out of legalized online poker in California?

In legislative proceedings, the most important words in a debate often are the ones left unmentioned. At a hearing held by a California state assembly committee last month about legalizing online poker, the unspoken term was PokerStars.

No hearing witnesses wanted to say outright that they were talking about PokerStars. It's the largest online poker company in the world, which wants in on the riches to be had if California legalizes Internet card play, but it also has faced federal charges of money laundering and fraud. So the April 23 discussion before the Governmental Organization Committee was filled with talk about California's "tremendously competent regulators," and how to keep unspecified "bad actors" out of California gaming, and how legislators should avoid "picking winners and losers."

These were code words for the most explosive issue still dividing California's Indian tribes — whether PokerStars should be allowed to participate. Since legalization depends almost entirely on what the tribes want, it's not a trivial matter.

The state's poker interests basically have coalesced into two groups. The one group is made up of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, which owns California's largest casino; the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; and the Agua Caliente, Pala and other tribes. The second group comprises the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, whose huge casino is located just northwest of Palm Springs; and the Bicycle, Commerce and Hawaiian Gardens card clubs. They've made a deal with PokerStars to run their online game.

The Morongo group complains that the two bills to legalize Internet poker in California introduced by Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), include language drafted specifically to keep PokerStars out of the state.

Because PokerStars, given its size and experience, arguably would be better at running an online poker game in California than anyone else, it's unsurprising that Morongo's chairman, Richard Martin, called the bills "just a smoke screen ... to give a competitive advantage to others." Nor is there any secret about who those "others" are — the Pechangas, San Manuels and other competing tribes. At the April hearing, Lynn Valbuena, San Manuel's chairwoman, demanded that "only those with a proven record of compliance with applicable laws should be in the [online] marketplace." She didn't mention PokerStars, but she didn't have to.

The PokerStars dispute comes as online poker is close to becoming a reality in California.

That's largely because the gaming tribes have ironed out a host of long-standing differences. The tribes seem resigned to letting non-tribal card clubs have a piece of the action. And for the most part they no longer fear that online poker would cannibalize their brick-and-mortar casinos; they now believe the online game will expand the market, if modestly, and that they need to participate to fend off competition.

There are still doubts that Internet gambling is a key to fresh riches. "We do not suffer from the irrational exuberance that says Internet Poker will generate hundreds of millions of dollars," Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro told the Assembly committee, but "we believe it's preferable to drive the bus rather than getting run over by it."

Some outside experts agree that the market potential has been overestimated. Gaming analyst Chris Krafcik cautioned that in New Jersey, which started running online poker games in November, the market grew through January, then "stagnated, and has since decelerated."

Krafcik projected that total revenues in California would reach $317 million in the first year of legalization, rising to $597 million in year four. If the state were to claim a 5% tax (the Jones-Sawyer bill) or 10% (Correa), that's less than $60 million a year. The sum is not nothing, but it is only six hundredths of a percent of the state's roughly $100-billion budget.

But there are other issues state legislators want ironed out before legalization. One is a role for the state's racetracks, which have taken a devastating hit in business since Indian gaming was made legal in 2000. They fear they'll be annihilated if online poker is legalized without their participation. Many tribes, however, regard extending card games to the tracks, on- or off-line, as an infringement of their nearly exclusive right to offer games of chance in California.

Then there's PokerStars.

Isle of Man-based PokerStars, like some other online gaming companies, operated in the U.S. for several years when the legality of Internet poker was murky. Congress had passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA, in 2006, but some poker firms argued that because poker is a game of skill, not chance, UIGEA didn't apply to them. Those doubts were extinguished on April 15, 2011 — gaming's "Black Friday" — when federal prosecutors unsealed indictments on charges of bank fraud, money laundering and violations of UIGEA. Isai Scheinberg, the founder of PokerStars, was among the 11 defendants indicted. He wasn't arrested because he wasn't in the U.S., and he hasn't crossed the border since. The company itself was charged with money laundering.

Only five months later, the Obama administration reinterpreted the law, holding that only sports betting was barred; pretty much everything else, including poker, was legal on an intrastate basis. Since then, online games have been legalized in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.

In July 2012, PokerStars settled the U.S. charges for $731 million. The company didn't admit wrongdoing. But Scheinberg remains under indictment.

Flash forward to 2014. The Correa and Jones-Sawyer bills, which would allow Internet licenses to be granted to gaming Indian tribes and card clubs, both include a "bad actor" provision.

Correa's bill bars any company that engaged in Internet gaming, including poker, after Dec. 31, 2006, a few weeks after UIGEA was signed into law. The current version of the Jones-Sawyer measure has similar language.

"We seem to be the only company that meets that standard," Eric Hollreiser, a spokesman for PokerStars, says wryly. The irony, he says, is that PokerStars is clean. He maintains that it didn't break the law, because it wasn't operating a game of chance, and points out that the U.S. government since has come around to its viewpoint.

As it happens, there's no guarantee that PokerStars could get licensed in California even without the bad actor provision. In New Jersey, where such judgments are left to regulators, the state Division of Gaming Enforcement isn't any happier about the company's background. The division last December suspended PokerStars' license application for two years, citing "the unresolved federal indictment against Isai Scheinberg" and "the involvement of certain PokerStars executives with Internet gaming operations in the United States following the enactment of UIGEA."

The difference between leaving the issue to regulators, and writing a ban into the law, is that gambling regulators' concerns can be assuaged by corporate action. The New Jersey regulators even offered PokerStars a road map: make Scheinberg deal with the indictment, and cleanse the company of any connections with those in charge during the UIGEA controversy. That probably means cutting ties with Scheinberg and his son, Mark, who is chairman and CEO of the company.

Once a bad actor provision is written into law, however, it's forever. Nothing PokerStars could do would eradicate its history of taking bets from Californians after Dec. 31, 2006.

The expectations in Indian Country appear to be that an Internet poker bill will pass this session. If you're inclined to bet — and if you're interested in online poker you just might be — the odds are that the bad actor provision will be dropped, and PokerStars will start putting distance between itself and the Scheinbergs.

But in politics, as in poker, you often don't know how things will turn out until the last hand is dealt. That hasn't happened yet.

Michael Hiltzik's column appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Read his blog, the Economy Hub, at latimes.com/business/hiltzik, reach him at mhiltzik@latimes.com, check out facebook.com/hiltzik and follow @hiltzikm on Twitter.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Will PokerStars be dealt out of legalized online poker in California?

In legislative proceedings, the most important words in a debate often are the ones left unmentioned. At a hearing held by a California state assembly committee last month about legalizing online poker, the unspoken term was PokerStars.

No hearing witnesses wanted to say outright that they were talking about PokerStars. It's the largest online poker company in the world, which wants in on the riches to be had if California legalizes Internet card play, but it also has faced federal charges of money laundering and fraud. So the April 23 discussion before the Governmental Organization Committee was filled with talk about California's "tremendously competent regulators," and how to keep unspecified "bad actors" out of California gaming, and how legislators should avoid "picking winners and losers."

These were code words for the most explosive issue still dividing California's Indian tribes — whether PokerStars should be allowed to participate. Since legalization depends almost entirely on what the tribes want, it's not a trivial matter.

The state's poker interests basically have coalesced into two groups. The one group is made up of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, which owns California's largest casino; the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; and the Agua Caliente, Pala and other tribes. The second group comprises the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, whose huge casino is located just northwest of Palm Springs; and the Bicycle, Commerce and Hawaiian Gardens card clubs. They've made a deal with PokerStars to run their online game.

The Morongo group complains that the two bills to legalize Internet poker in California introduced by Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), include language drafted specifically to keep PokerStars out of the state.

Because PokerStars, given its size and experience, arguably would be better at running an online poker game in California than anyone else, it's unsurprising that Morongo's chairman, Richard Martin, called the bills "just a smoke screen ... to give a competitive advantage to others." Nor is there any secret about who those "others" are — the Pechangas, San Manuels and other competing tribes. At the April hearing, Lynn Valbuena, San Manuel's chairwoman, demanded that "only those with a proven record of compliance with applicable laws should be in the [online] marketplace." She didn't mention PokerStars, but she didn't have to.

The PokerStars dispute comes as online poker is close to becoming a reality in California.

That's largely because the gaming tribes have ironed out a host of long-standing differences. The tribes seem resigned to letting non-tribal card clubs have a piece of the action. And for the most part they no longer fear that online poker would cannibalize their brick-and-mortar casinos; they now believe the online game will expand the market, if modestly, and that they need to participate to fend off competition.

There are still doubts that Internet gambling is a key to fresh riches. "We do not suffer from the irrational exuberance that says Internet Poker will generate hundreds of millions of dollars," Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro told the Assembly committee, but "we believe it's preferable to drive the bus rather than getting run over by it."

Some outside experts agree that the market potential has been overestimated. Gaming analyst Chris Krafcik cautioned that in New Jersey, which started running online poker games in November, the market grew through January, then "stagnated, and has since decelerated."

Krafcik projected that total revenues in California would reach $317 million in the first year of legalization, rising to $597 million in year four. If the state were to claim a 5% tax (the Jones-Sawyer bill) or 10% (Correa), that's less than $60 million a year. The sum is not nothing, but it is only six hundredths of a percent of the state's roughly $100-billion budget.

But there are other issues state legislators want ironed out before legalization. One is a role for the state's racetracks, which have taken a devastating hit in business since Indian gaming was made legal in 2000. They fear they'll be annihilated if online poker is legalized without their participation. Many tribes, however, regard extending card games to the tracks, on- or off-line, as an infringement of their nearly exclusive right to offer games of chance in California.

Then there's PokerStars.

Isle of Man-based PokerStars, like some other online gaming companies, operated in the U.S. for several years when the legality of Internet poker was murky. Congress had passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA, in 2006, but some poker firms argued that because poker is a game of skill, not chance, UIGEA didn't apply to them. Those doubts were extinguished on April 15, 2011 — gaming's "Black Friday" — when federal prosecutors unsealed indictments on charges of bank fraud, money laundering and violations of UIGEA. Isai Scheinberg, the founder of PokerStars, was among the 11 defendants indicted. He wasn't arrested because he wasn't in the U.S., and he hasn't crossed the border since. The company itself was charged with money laundering.

Only five months later, the Obama administration reinterpreted the law, holding that only sports betting was barred; pretty much everything else, including poker, was legal on an intrastate basis. Since then, online games have been legalized in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.

In July 2012, PokerStars settled the U.S. charges for $731 million. The company didn't admit wrongdoing. But Scheinberg remains under indictment.

Flash forward to 2014. The Correa and Jones-Sawyer bills, which would allow Internet licenses to be granted to gaming Indian tribes and card clubs, both include a "bad actor" provision.

Correa's bill bars any company that engaged in Internet gaming, including poker, after Dec. 31, 2006, a few weeks after UIGEA was signed into law. The current version of the Jones-Sawyer measure has similar language.

"We seem to be the only company that meets that standard," Eric Hollreiser, a spokesman for PokerStars, says wryly. The irony, he says, is that PokerStars is clean. He maintains that it didn't break the law, because it wasn't operating a game of chance, and points out that the U.S. government since has come around to its viewpoint.

As it happens, there's no guarantee that PokerStars could get licensed in California even without the bad actor provision. In New Jersey, where such judgments are left to regulators, the state Division of Gaming Enforcement isn't any happier about the company's background. The division last December suspended PokerStars' license application for two years, citing "the unresolved federal indictment against Isai Scheinberg" and "the involvement of certain PokerStars executives with Internet gaming operations in the United States following the enactment of UIGEA."

The difference between leaving the issue to regulators, and writing a ban into the law, is that gambling regulators' concerns can be assuaged by corporate action. The New Jersey regulators even offered PokerStars a road map: make Scheinberg deal with the indictment, and cleanse the company of any connections with those in charge during the UIGEA controversy. That probably means cutting ties with Scheinberg and his son, Mark, who is chairman and CEO of the company.

Once a bad actor provision is written into law, however, it's forever. Nothing PokerStars could do would eradicate its history of taking bets from Californians after Dec. 31, 2006.

The expectations in Indian Country appear to be that an Internet poker bill will pass this session. If you're inclined to bet — and if you're interested in online poker you just might be — the odds are that the bad actor provision will be dropped, and PokerStars will start putting distance between itself and the Scheinbergs.

But in politics, as in poker, you often don't know how things will turn out until the last hand is dealt. That hasn't happened yet.

Michael Hiltzik's column appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Read his blog, the Economy Hub, at latimes.com/business/hiltzik, reach him at mhiltzik@latimes.com, check out facebook.com/hiltzik and follow @hiltzikm on Twitter.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers fall to Mets, 5-3

Mets 5, Dodgers 3

ON THE MOUND: In the aftermath of a start that lasted only five innings, Zack Greinke admitted he wasn't his sharpest. Greinke was charged with three runs and four hits. He walked two. The game snapped a streak of 21 consecutive starts in which he gave up two or fewer runs, the longest streak since at least 1914. But Greinke has another streak that is still alive. Because two of the runs were unearned, Greinke has now made 22 consecutive starts in which he gave up two or fewer earned runs. That broke a record previously held by Roger Clemens, who made 21 such starts from July 3, 1990, to May 13, 1991. "They keep changing the wording of it to keep it as a streak," Greinke said.

AT THE PLATE: Justin Turner hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning, which tied the game, 3-3. Adrian Gonzalez drove in his 34th run of the season on a first-inning sacrifice fly.

IN RELIEF: Chris Perez was charged with the loss, as he gave up two runs and four hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief. Perez gave up a run in the seventh and another in the eighth.

UP NEXT: Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 4.43 earned-run average) will face the Philadelphia Phillies and Roberto Hernandez (2-1, 3.98) at Citizens Bank Park at 4 p.m. PDT. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020 (Spanish).

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

UCLA football assistants get pay raise

UCLA has given two-year contract extensions with pay raises to coordinators Noel Mazzone and Jeff Ulbrich, and hiked the salaries of other members of the football staff.

UCLA football assistants will earn $4.059 million next season, including signing and retention bonuses. The athletic program funds the contracts through television and sponsorship deals.

UCLA will pay assistants $3.620 million in base pay and talent fees for the 2014 season. Six coaches — offensive coordinator Mazzone, Adrian Klemm, Demetrice Martin, Angus McClure, Mike Tuiasosopo and Taylor Mazzone — received signing bonuses totaling $347,900.

The pay pool was $2.442 million last season. In December, head Coach Jim Mora signed an extension that will pay him $21 million over the next six seasons.

Noel Mazzone, who made $375,000 last season, will make $654,500 each of the next two seasons. He was given a $100,000 signing bonus and can receive retention bonuses of $65,250 each if still at the school on Jan. 1, 2015, and June 30, 2015. Mazzone will receive two more retention bonuses of $165,500 each to be paid Jan. 1, 2016, and June 30, 2016.

Ulbrich, who was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, will receive $475,000 in 2015 and $500,000 in 2016.

Offensive line coach Klemm, who signed a new contract in December, will receive $660,000 in 2014 and $760,000 in 2015.

Running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu will make $227,500 each of the next two seasons, as well as retention bonuses of $72,500 to be paid June 15 and $100,000 to be paid Nov. 15. McClure, the defensive line coach, will make $227,500 each of the next two seasons, plus a $52,500 signing bonus. He will receive a retention bonus of $72,500 if he still at the school on Jan. 1, 2016. Martin, the defensive backs coach, will make $295,100 each of the next two seasons, plus a $79,900 signing bonus. He will receive a retention bonus of $104,900 if he is still employed on Jan. 1, 2016.

The deals give UCLA continuity — seven of the nine assistant coaches are under contract for two seasons.

Quarterbacks coach Taylor Mazzone will earn $107,500, plus a $2,500 signing bonus. Receivers coach Eric Yarber will earn $260,000 this season and $285,000 in 2016. Linebackers coach Tuiasosopo will receive $210,000 each of the next two seasons, plus a $50,000 signing bonus.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers fall to Mets, 5-3

Mets 5, Dodgers 3

ON THE MOUND: In the aftermath of a start that lasted only five innings, Zack Greinke admitted he wasn't his sharpest. Greinke was charged with three runs and four hits. He walked two. The game snapped a streak of 21 consecutive starts in which he gave up two or fewer runs, the longest streak since at least 1914. But Greinke has another streak that is still alive. Because two of the runs were unearned, Greinke has now made 22 consecutive starts in which he gave up two or fewer earned runs. That broke a record previously held by Roger Clemens, who made 21 such starts from July 3, 1990, to May 13, 1991. "They keep changing the wording of it to keep it as a streak," Greinke said.

AT THE PLATE: Justin Turner hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning, which tied the game, 3-3. Adrian Gonzalez drove in his 34th run of the season on a first-inning sacrifice fly.

IN RELIEF: Chris Perez was charged with the loss, as he gave up two runs and four hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief. Perez gave up a run in the seventh and another in the eighth.

UP NEXT: Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 4.43 earned-run average) will face the Philadelphia Phillies and Roberto Hernandez (2-1, 3.98) at Citizens Bank Park at 4 p.m. PDT. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020 (Spanish).

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero's ear partially bitten off by teammate

Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero was the victim Tuesday of a Mike Tyson-like ear chomp by triple-A teammate Miguel Olivo, according to Guerrero's agent, Scott Boras.

Guerrero, a Cuban infielder who is in the first year of a four-year, $28-million contract, was scheduled to undergo plastic surgery to reattach the part of his ear that was bitten off by Olivo in a dugout altercation, Boras said.

"This is a first for me," said Boras, who has represented players for more than three decades.

Boras said he was uncertain when the hot-hitting Guerrero might return to the field.

The alleged incident occurred in Salt Lake City, where the Dodgers' Albuquerque-based affiliate dropped a 7-4 decision.

Olivo became steamed after his team gave up a stolen base in the seventh inning, according to Boras. Olivo blamed Guerrero for failing to tag the baserunner in time, the agent said. A video posted on the Albuquerque Isotopes' website showed Olivo attempting to charge Guerrero during a pitching change later in the inning. The players exchanged words as they walked off the field at the end of the inning.

"Guerrero was in the far end of the dugout," Boras said. "He went to the front to get his bat and helmet to hit. As he walked across, Olivo decked him."

Guerrero and Olivo had to be separated by teammates, according to Boras. When players pulled off Olivo, he had a piece of Guerrero's ear in his mouth, Boras said.

Criminal charges could be filed against Olivo, a 35-year-old journeyman catcher who has played 13 major league seasons. Whether that happens could depend on whether Guerrero wants Olivo to be prosecuted, according to Det. Greg Wilking of the Salt Lake City Police Department.

When an officer spoke to Guerrero on Tuesday, the infielder was uncertain of how he wanted police to proceed.

"He wants to talk to a lawyer and talk to league officials," Wilking said.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti was evasive when asked about the incident, other than to say he was looking into it. He wouldn't say whether either player would disciplined.

Guerrero and Olivo both played in the major leagues this season. Guerrero was on the major-league roster for the Dodgers' season-opening series in Australia, after which he was sent to Albuquerque to continue working on his transition to second base from his lifelong position of shortstop.

With Dee Gordon playing better than expected at second base, the Dodgers now think Guerrero could contribute in a utility role, which is why he started at shortstop for the last two days. Colletti said the Dodgers might also ask Guerrero to play third base.

From an offensive standpoint, Guerrero is close to major league-ready, according to Colletti. He is batting .376 with 10 home runs and 29 runs batted in.

Olivo recently spent two weeks with the Dodgers and was sent back to Albuquerque when A.J. Ellis returned from the disabled list last week.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero's ear partially bitten off by teammate

Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero was the victim Tuesday of a Mike Tyson-like ear chomp by triple-A teammate Miguel Olivo, according to Guerrero's agent, Scott Boras.

Guerrero, a Cuban infielder who is in the first year of a four-year, $28-million contract, was scheduled to undergo plastic surgery to reattach the part of his ear that was bitten off by Olivo in a dugout altercation, Boras said.

"This is a first for me," said Boras, who has represented players for more than three decades.

Boras said he was uncertain when the hot-hitting Guerrero might return to the field.

The alleged incident occurred in Salt Lake City, where the Dodgers' Albuquerque-based affiliate dropped a 7-4 decision.

Olivo became steamed after his team gave up a stolen base in the seventh inning, according to Boras. Olivo blamed Guerrero for failing to tag the baserunner in time, the agent said. A video posted on the Albuquerque Isotopes' website showed Olivo attempting to charge Guerrero during a pitching change later in the inning. The players exchanged words as they walked off the field at the end of the inning.

"Guerrero was in the far end of the dugout," Boras said. "He went to the front to get his bat and helmet to hit. As he walked across, Olivo decked him."

Guerrero and Olivo had to be separated by teammates, according to Boras. When players pulled off Olivo, he had a piece of Guerrero's ear in his mouth, Boras said.

Criminal charges could be filed against Olivo, a 35-year-old journeyman catcher who has played 13 major league seasons. Whether that happens could depend on whether Guerrero wants Olivo to be prosecuted, according to Det. Greg Wilking of the Salt Lake City Police Department.

When an officer spoke to Guerrero on Tuesday, the infielder was uncertain of how he wanted police to proceed.

"He wants to talk to a lawyer and talk to league officials," Wilking said.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti was evasive when asked about the incident, other than to say he was looking into it. He wouldn't say whether either player would disciplined.

Guerrero and Olivo both played in the major leagues this season. Guerrero was on the major-league roster for the Dodgers' season-opening series in Australia, after which he was sent to Albuquerque to continue working on his transition to second base from his lifelong position of shortstop.

With Dee Gordon playing better than expected at second base, the Dodgers now think Guerrero could contribute in a utility role, which is why he started at shortstop for the last two days. Colletti said the Dodgers might also ask Guerrero to play third base.

From an offensive standpoint, Guerrero is close to major league-ready, according to Colletti. He is batting .376 with 10 home runs and 29 runs batted in.

Olivo recently spent two weeks with the Dodgers and was sent back to Albuquerque when A.J. Ellis returned from the disabled list last week.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero's ear partially bitten off by teammate

Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero was the victim Tuesday of a Mike Tyson-like ear chomp by triple-A teammate Miguel Olivo, according to Guerrero's agent, Scott Boras.

Guerrero, a Cuban infielder who is in the first year of a four-year, $28-million contract, was scheduled to undergo plastic surgery to reattach the part of his ear that was bitten off by Olivo in a dugout altercation, Boras said.

"This is a first for me," said Boras, who has represented players for more than three decades.

Boras said he was uncertain when the hot-hitting Guerrero might return to the field.

The alleged incident occurred in Salt Lake City, where the Dodgers' Albuquerque-based affiliate dropped a 7-4 decision.

Olivo became steamed after his team gave up a stolen base in the seventh inning, according to Boras. Olivo blamed Guerrero for failing to tag the baserunner in time, the agent said. A video posted on the Albuquerque Isotopes' website showed Olivo attempting to charge Guerrero during a pitching change later in the inning. The players exchanged words as they walked off the field at the end of the inning.

"Guerrero was in the far end of the dugout," Boras said. "He went to the front to get his bat and helmet to hit. As he walked across, Olivo decked him."

Guerrero and Olivo had to be separated by teammates, according to Boras. When players pulled off Olivo, he had a piece of Guerrero's ear in his mouth, Boras said.

Criminal charges could be filed against Olivo, a 35-year-old journeyman catcher who has played 13 major league seasons. Whether that happens could depend on whether Guerrero wants Olivo to be prosecuted, according to Det. Greg Wilking of the Salt Lake City Police Department.

When an officer spoke to Guerrero on Tuesday, the infielder was uncertain of how he wanted police to proceed.

"He wants to talk to a lawyer and talk to league officials," Wilking said.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti was evasive when asked about the incident, other than to say he was looking into it. He wouldn't say whether either player would disciplined.

Guerrero and Olivo both played in the major leagues this season. Guerrero was on the major-league roster for the Dodgers' season-opening series in Australia, after which he was sent to Albuquerque to continue working on his transition to second base from his lifelong position of shortstop.

With Dee Gordon playing better than expected at second base, the Dodgers now think Guerrero could contribute in a utility role, which is why he started at shortstop for the last two days. Colletti said the Dodgers might also ask Guerrero to play third base.

From an offensive standpoint, Guerrero is close to major league-ready, according to Colletti. He is batting .376 with 10 home runs and 29 runs batted in.

Olivo recently spent two weeks with the Dodgers and was sent back to Albuquerque when A.J. Ellis returned from the disabled list last week.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More