‘Playing Catch with Community’ clinic set
The University of Maine and Husson University baseball teams and Sluggers of Brewer are planning a free “Playing Catch with the Community” clinic on Oct. 13 at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor. The session, open to players ages 13 and under, runs from noon to 3 p.m.
Participants will learn fundamental techniques, then play a Wiffle Ball game. Contact UMaine assistant coach Nick Derba at 581-1097 or Nicholas.Derba@maine.edu for more information.
MLB to test pace-of-play rules
Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that experimental speed-up rules will be tested during games in the 2014 Arizona Fall League. The average time of nine-inning games in the major leagues was a record 3 hours, 2 minutes this year, up from 2:33 in 1981.
Speed-up rules will include: The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout his at-bat; if a team decides to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches shall be thrown and the batter will be awarded first base; the pitcher must deliver the ball within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied; a maximum 2:05 break between innings; a maximum 2:30 break for pitching changes; a limit of three time-out conferences; and potential modifications to instant replay.
DirecTV to pay $12 billion for ‘Sunday Ticket’
LOS ANGELES — DirecTV extended its exclusive contract to sell the Sunday Ticket package of National Football League games, and sources said the company will pay $1.5 billion a year to keep the popular offering that has helped attract subscribers.
The satellite TV provider and the league announced a multi-year deal on Wednesday. Sources familiar with the agreement said DirecTV’s annual payments would average $1.5 billion for eight years.
DirecTV sells the package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games to subscribers for about $300 a year, providing a key marketing advantage over cable TV competitors.
The new deal expands DirecTV’s rights to stream the games live on mobile devices and broadband.
Panthers’ Alexander suspended
Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander has been suspended 10 games without pay for violating the National Football League’s policy on substances of abuse, the league said on Wednesday.
Alexander, who missed the first four games of this season due to a previous violation of the policy, will be eligible to return following his team’s Dec. 14 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 24-year-old, selected by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, returned from his earlier ban on Monday to be suspended just two days later.
Wacha not in Cardinals’ rotation
Right-hander Michael Wacha was left out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ starting rotation for the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Wednesday his starters for the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Adam Wainwright will get the ball in Game 1, followed by Lance Lynn in Game 2, John Lackey in Game 3 and Shelby Miller in a possible Game 4.
Wacha, who will work out of the bullpen, had made four starts since he returned from a shoulder injury and gave up 11 runs, 20 hits and seven walks in 16 2/3 innings.
Cardinals QB Palmer sees specialist
Injured Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer missed practice Wednesday to visit a specialist about a nerve problem in his throwing shoulder.
Coach Bruce Arians had said that Wednesday would be a key day to determine whether Palmer might be ready to play this week. He has missed the last two games.
With Palmer likely out again, Drew Stanton is in line to get another start. He helped the Cardinals to wins over the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.
Cavs sign G Holt
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed guard Stephen Holt on Wednesday. Terms of the contract were not released.
The 6-foot-4 Holt played four seasons at Saint Mary’s and averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 31.2 minutes over 127 games (95 starts). He fell just one steal shy of the school record for a career with 173.
Dunn to retire without postseason at-bat
Veteran slugger Adam Dunn, who finally made it to the playoffs with the Oakland Athletics but never got off the bench in Tuesday night’s wild-card game, is expected to retire after a 14-year career.
It took the 34-year-old Dunn 14 seasons and 2,001 games to reach the postseason.
If he officially retires, Dunn ends his career with a .237 batting average, 462 home runs and 1,168 RBIs.