UAB reinstates football program
The University of Alabama-Birmingham has reinstated its football program.
“We are in a different position,” UAB president Ray Watts said Monday, a reversal from the announcement of the termination of the sport just six months ago. “We have received pledges, large and small from many donors and many fans. Many from people who have never before supported UAB football, and in unprecedented amounts.”
Watts said raising funds totaling $17.2 million of external support, some requiring additional approval, more than covers the anticipated operational shortage if the sports are reinstated.
“Given the broad base of support never before seen, we are taking steps to reinstate football, rifle and bowling programs,” Watts said Monday, when he added Conference USA was informed of the decision.
The Blazers football program was cut following the 2014 season for budgetary reasons. UAB likely would not play this upcoming season, returning to the field in 2016.
Jets, Giants fans to pass through metal detectors
Metal detectors have been installed at walk-through gates at MetLife Stadium for New York Jets and New York Giants games this season.
The new security measure will remain in place for all upcoming events — including NFL preseason and regular-season games — at the stadium, which has a seating capacity of 82,500.
Walk-through magnetometers, a more effective and less intrusive form of screening, will replace hand-held magnetometers as the primary screening device.
Fans will not need to remove their shoes, belts, coins, watches or jewelry, as required at airports. They will have to place cell phones, cameras and keys on a security table prior to walking through the metal detector.
Eventually, all NFL stadiums will use walk-through metal detectors at all gates.
Rangers’ Beltre placed on DL with injured thumb
Texas Rangers placed third baseman Adrian Beltre on the 15-day disabled list on Monday.
The team said Beltre has a sprained left thumb, suffered while he was sliding into second base Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.
A report by CBSSports.com said Beltre was diagnosed with a dislocated thumb and was seeking a second opinion.
After the game Sunday, the Rangers announced X-rays were negative and team Dr. Keith Meister diagnosed a sprain. The team said Beltre will be sidelined at least two weeks.
Beltre was fitted for a splint and also needed four stitches for a cut he sustained on the play in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox.
He has played in all 51 games this season, hitting .257 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.
Rockies prospect Dahl opts to have spleen removed
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect David Dahl is scheduled to undergo surgery to have his spleen removed after being involved in a serious collision while playing for the organization’s Double-A club.
Dahl, playing center field for the New Britain (Conn.) Rock Cats, collided with second baseman Juan Ciriaco on a fly ball to shallow center on Thursday.
Dahl was hospitalized and had emergency surgery to repair a lacerated spleen. He was scheduled to undergo surgery Monday to have his spleen removed at a Hartford, Conn., hospital.
Dahl made the decision after consulting with the Rockies, his agent, Adam Karon, told ESPN.com
The 21-year-old Dahl was initially expected to miss the rest of the season while his lacerated spleen healed, but now he is hoping to return in four to six weeks,
Karon said the recovery period for the surgery is similar to having an appendix removed.
