The Indians' bullpen struck again and not in a good way. Nick Hagadone gave up a two-run homer to Joey Votto in the eighth inning Monday as the Reds beat the Indians, 4-2.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Nothing ruins a season faster than a bad bullpen. You could look it up.

In case you don't want a history lesson, check out the 2013 Indians. Everybody was waiting for the other shoe to drop as the Indians sprinted to their third straight hot start in as many seasons.

Well, it's landed and you should see the size of this thing. It's a size 15, steel-toed construction boot capable of stomping out any glimmer of hope sparked by a month of good play.

It's the Indians' worst nightmare. Just when they get the offense and starting pitching into decent shape, the bullpen, their protector of tight games over the past 21/2 seasons, does a 180.

Lefty Nick Hagadone, recalled from Class AAA Columbus before Monday's game when closer Chris Perez was placed on the disabled list, gave up a two-run homer to Joey Votto in the eighth as Cincinnati beat the Indians, 4-2, in front of a sellout crowd at Great American Ball Park. The Indians have lost four straight and six of their last seven games.

In the last 11 games, Indians relievers have allowed 28 runs in 351/3 innings for a 7.13 ERA. In that stretch, they have converted just one of seven save opportunities. They have the lowest conversion rate for saves at 50 percent (9-for-18) in the big leagues.

• Indians-Reds boxscore | Scoreboard | Standings

Not only that, but some of their top arms are struggling or on the disabled list. When Perez went on the disabled list Monday, manager Terry Francona said Vinnie Pestano would replace him at closer. The last time we saw Pestano, he was blowing a 4-3 eighth-inning lead Saturday against Boston and throwing 87 to 88 mph, which is far from his normal range of 90 to 93 mph.

"We're being tested," said Francona. "We're going to figure it out and we're going to battle through it."

Hagadone entered the eighth following seven strong innings by Ubaldo Jimenez and a game-tying, 467-foot pinch-hit homer by Jason Giambi in the top of the eighth that ended his 0-for-24 slump and sent his teammates pingponging around the dugout. His job was to get lefties Shin-Soo Choo and Votto, but it didn't happen.

Choo, who gave the Reds a 1-0 lead with a leadoff homer against his former team in the first, opened the eighth with a single. Catcher Carlos Santana's second passed ball of the game moved Choo to second.

"It was supposed to be a fastball away and I yanked it [threw it inside], " said Hagadone. "It was a hard pitch to catch."

Zack Cozart sacrificed Choo to third and Votto slammed a 2-1 pitch over the fence in left center for the two runs that beat the Indians. Francona wanted Hagadone to pitch Votto inside, but he said Hagadone wasn't comfortable doing that and worked the Reds first baseman away, which allowed him to drive the ball the opposite way.

"A pitcher has to pitch to a comfort zone, but we didn't want to let Votto get his arms extended," said Francona.

The Indians could have intentionally walked Votto and faced right-handed hitting Brandon Phillips with runners on the corners and one out. Francona elected to face Votto.

"If we walked him, it wouldn't have been the end of the world," said Francona. "That's why I sent Mickey Callaway [pitching coach] to the mound. That wasn't the outcome we were looking for."

Choo's leadoff homer was his third this season and eighth of his career. Overall this season, Choo is hitting .290 (53-for-183) with 10 homers and 20 RBI.

"I didn't think about playing the Indians," said Choo, who spent the last 61/2 seasons with the Tribe. "I haven't been hitting well in May so Dusty Baker [Reds manager] told me to be more aggressive because I like to work the count."

The Indians tied the score on Santana's sacrifice fly in the fourth. Jason Kipnis hit a leadoff single against Mike Leake and went to third on Phillips' error on Nick Swisher's grounder to second.

Cincinnati made it 2-1 in the sixth. Cozart opened with a double that hit the left field foul line. He took third on a groundout and scored on Phillips' sacrifice fly to right. Drew Stubbs' throw to the plate beat Cozart by plenty, but Santana couldn't handle the throw as it skipped off his glove and hand.

An exuberant Jason Giambi might have smacked Terry Francona's hand a little harder than he intended after his home run on Monday.

Clubhouse confidential: While closer Chris Perez received an MRI on his right shoulder Monday, manager Terry Francona thought he might need one on his right hand after Jason Giambi hit a 467-foot pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.

It pulled the Indians into a temporary 2-2 tie and broke a slump for the 42-year-old Giambi.

"He was so fired up when he got back to the dugout and I was looking at my lineup card," said Francona. "I put my hand up (to high-five Giambi), but I wasn't watching and he almost broke my wrist and my watch.

"I was bent over in pain. I said man, maybe you should have just flew out."

Short stuff: Jason Kipnis on his homer just inside Pesky's Pole, the right-field foul pole at Fenway Park, on Sunday: "It doesn't get much shorter than that one. I was wondering if that was the shortest home run to ever be hit, but I think there was one a couple of feet shorter."

ESPN's Home Run Tracker.com lists Kipnis' homer at 319 feet, the shortest this season in the big leagues.  

Pesky's Pole is listed as 302 feet from home plate.

"That's not even a homer on a high school field," said Michael Brantley.

"It's a foul ball at home," said Kipnis.

Stat of the day: The Indians entered Tuesday night's game against the Reds having been outscored, 25-12, during their four-game losing streak.

Couple aims to fight hunger in Kent schools and beyond

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It is no secret that family is very important to PGA Tour pro Ben Curtis and his wife, Candace.

So, it comes as no surprise they have founded the Ben Curtis Family Foundation.

"We were watching a television show on hunger and it truly opened our eyes," said Candace Curtis, whose husband has been known to skip tournaments in order to spend more time with his family. "So, we started doing some research and discovered this is a real problem in Northeast Ohio, more specifically, our hometown of Kent."

So, the idea of Ben's Birdie Bags came about and a trial run took place recently with great success.

Partnering with the Akron Food Bank, the Haymaker Farmers Market, and True Vision Marketing of Chagrin Falls and working in conjunction with the Kent schools, the Curtises distributed approximately 160 backpacks to students at Kent's Holden Elementary. Each backpack was filled with three meals and two snacks. The food choices ranged from mac-and-cheese to oatmeal to pasta to cereal to fruit juice. The children were instructed to take them home.

"In the Kent district alone, there are 753 kids on some sort of subsidized lunch program," said Candace, a product of the Kent schools, as well as Kent State. "So, for many, this could be their only meal."

The plan is to distribute the backpacks to the students for all the long weekends, starting with Labor Day and including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Day, etc.

A questionnaire was included with earlier bags as the Curtises sought feedback from the Holden students and their parents. Plans call for the first official distribution to be sent home on Aug. 30.

"We want to make sure we are meeting the students' needs," said Curtis, the mother of Liam and Addison. "We had a great deal of cooperation from a lot of people."

She had special praise for Julie Troman, the principal at Holden, and assistant superintendent Tom Larkin, as well as her mother Diane Beatty, and sister-in-law Sara Beatty.

Flashes in Atlanta: The Kent State men's team, ranked 20th in the country, is making the program's 17th appearance in the NCAA Championships, which started Tuesday at the Capital City Club's Crabapple Course in Atlanta, Ga.

The NCAA is a different tournament than most. It includes 54 holes of stroke play, with the top eight teams of five players each advancing to match-play format. The teams will be seeded in order to their finish in the stroke play and each match is worth one point. The winning team advances. The losing team goes home. KSU's players are Corey Conners (Listowel, Ontario), Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ontario), Kyle Kmiecik (St. Ignatius, Avon), Nick Scott (Union, O.) and Kevin Miller (Dover, O.).

Familiar faces: KSU is paired with Oklahoma in the stroke play portion of the NCAAs, which means former St. Ignatius teammates, Kmiecik and Beau Titsworth, will see plenty of each other over the next few days.

Checking in: Halley Morell (Brecksville, Robert Morris) and Danielle Nicholson (Geneva) captured two of the three qualifying spots for the 37th annual U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. Both shot 76 and survived a playoff at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Norwalk. The Championship will be held June 17-23 at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club, in Norman, Okla.

Another win: Rocky River's Jillian Hollis won for the second time this season on Sunday when she shot rounds of 73-70-70--213 to win the Peggy Kirk Bell Open at the Country Club of Salisbury, N.C.

Hollis, who attends Magnificat, won by seven shots over a strong field that included few players north of the Mason-Dixon line. Nikki Schroeder (Avon Lake) and Jessica Porvasnik (Hinckley) finished in a tie for 24th at 231.

To the Hills: The Cleveland Women's Golf Association moves to Columbia Hills on Thursday for its two-player best ball event. The Beechmont twosome of Judi Greenberger and Tami Gould are the defending champions.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersCLE

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - Brian Ansberry, who has been an assistant coach on the St. Edward basketball staff for the past five years, is the new head coach at Lake Ridge Academy. Ansberry, a native of West Park and a 1999 graduate of St. Edward, replaces Bernie Clark.

Brian Ansberry is the new boys basketball coach at Lake Ridge Academy. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - Brian Ansberry, who has been an assistant coach on the St. Edward basketball staff for the past five years, is the new head coach at Lake Ridge Academy.

Ansberry, a native of West Park and a 1999 graduate of St. Edward, replaces Bernie Clark.

Ansberry was a member of the St. Edward team that won the 1998 Division I state championship.

"We are excited to have a talented coach that is experienced teaching on the court and in the classroom join the Lake Ridge community," athletic director Debby Ghezzi said in a statement. "His experience as a player and coach will help our students develop their full potential."

Ansberry, a 2003 graduate of Ohio University, will continue teaching algebra at St. Edward.

At 77, Jim Brown still has a lot to offer and his return is welcome news to fans and Brown's former teammates with the Cleveland Browns.

View full sizeJim Brown's role with the Cleveland Browns will be revealed Wednesday.Matt York, Associated Press 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "Jim is very excited."

That's what Reggie Rucker said about Jim Brown returning to the Cleveland Browns in a role that will be revealed at a Wednesday news conference.

Rucker and Brown are very close. They work together in Brown's Amer-I-Can program with former inmates. They also are a part of the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, of which Rucker is the president.

It was Rucker who received the first call from Brown in 2010 following a meeting with former Browns president Mike Holmgren. Brown was an adviser to former Browns owner Randy Lerner, and he thought Holmgren wanted to talk about his role with the team.

"But Jim called and said he was fired," said Rucker. "Not much discussion. It was not how you should treat people."

That led to Brown boycotting the team's ceremony to launch a Ring of Honor, along with the last two Legends Weekends, where former Browns players are brought to town to meet and attend a game.

"Jim was the greatest running back ever," said Bill Glass. "It's great the owner (Jimmy Haslam) wants him back, and Jim is coming back. Life is short. Each year, there are less of us."

Glass was talking about members of the 1964 Browns, Cleveland's last championship in any of the three major sports.

In the past few years, Gene Hickerson, Johnny Brewer, Galen Fiss, Monte Clark and Lou Groza are some of the members of that team who have died.

"We all have spats at different points in our lives," said Glass. "It's good to work through the problems. And it was not his former teammates who were the problem (between Brown and the team), so it's great they have reconciled so we can see Jim again."

A member of the Browns Legends club, Glass lives outside of Dallas and is still active in prison ministry.

Like Brown, Glass is 77 years old.

Former quarterback Frank Ryan and center John Morrow are both 80. At the last Legends Weekend, several players said they wished Brown had attended.

Rucker said new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam "deserves the credit" for bringing Brown back into "a meaningful role" with the franchise.

A Browns receiver from 1975 to 1981, Rucker didn't elaborate on the specifics, but it appears Brown will help to mentor some of the players.

"I remember when I came into the NFL from the projects of Washington D.C. and got about $50,000," said Rucker. "I felt like I had all the money in the world. Lot of guys get a lot more, and they aren't ready to handle it -- or know how to deal with all that comes from being an NFL player."

Rucker said Brown has credibility with current players not only due to him being a Hall of Famer, "but because he doesn't kiss people's butts. He speaks his mind."

Rucker had some long discussions with Haslam, "the best and most meaningful that I've ever had with any owner." They talked about what young players needed to know and how they needed mentors in the NFL.

"Jim can be a real asset in that area," said Rucker. "A number of players come from the streets. Jim has worked with people from the streets for years (with Amer-I-Can), and he will have a real trust factor with them."

Rucker said Brown rejoining the team is a product of "six months of very respectful talks with Haslam."

Brown played in Cleveland from 1957 to 1965, his only team.

"While some people think the Browns have always been great with their alumni, that's not always been the case," said Rucker. "But this shows that they are getting much better, this is a big step in the right direction."

SCOUTING REGIONAL SOFTBALL DIVISION I

SCOUTING REGIONAL SOFTBALL

DIVISION I

AKRON

Where: University of Akron Lee Jackson Softball Field, Carroll Street. Call 330-972-6849.

Semifinals: Medina (22-7) vs. Austintown Fitch (20-7), today, 5 p.m.; Solon (19-7) vs. Mentor (19-10), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Medina, ranked eighth in the state, is making its second consecutive regional appearance with many of the same players -- Vanessa Scoarste, Madi Tata, Maria Vanadia, Jen Sansonette, Abby Knechtel, Paige Kovalchick and Lauren Peak. New kid on the block is junior pitcher Megan Paradise, who does a good job relying on her defense. Fitch reached its first regional since 2005 with freshman pitcher Alex Franken, who is also the cleanup batter. She gets plenty of support from A.J. Corradi, Cali Mikovich, Alana Callahan and Gabby Butcher. The Falcons have shown they can hit with power. Solon, which was outscored, 8-2, in two regular-season losses to Mentor, will need a solid outing from pitcher Sarah Maxson. She was superb in a district final win over state-ranked Brecksville-Broadview Heights while Kristen Confroy, Natalia Kontul, Carly Simecek and Gabby Lucarelli give the Comets the ability to score in bunches. Mentor, in its first regional since 2006, is riding the arm of freshman pitcher Allison Golic, who also swings a productive bat. Arial Birtley, Lindsey Valvoda, Kelly Palmer, Emily Morgan and Jordan Kramer have been consistent performers on offense. There will be no margin for error with the gloves.

PD pick: Medina over Mentor.

CLYDE

Where: Clyde High School, 1015 Race St., Clyde. Call 419-547-9511.

Semifinals: Oregon Clay (25-3) vs. Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (18-10), today, 5 p.m.; Elyria (24-5) vs. St. Joseph Academy (13-18), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Clay, the No. 5-ranked team in the state, is out to make school history. The Eagles, who hope to reach their first final four, have an offensive sparkplug in base-stealing speedster Hannah Susor. The ace on the mound is Brooke Gallaher. Unranked Anthony Wayne, the 2003 state champion, is seeking its third regional title. The offensive-minded Generals have a 1-2 punch in Mac Rhodes and Haley Olvera. They also have freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Ray, who has performed well. Unranked St. Joseph Academy enters the regional as the underdog against much-seasoned Elyria, ranked No. 3 in the state poll. The Jaguars upset fifth-seeded Normandy, fourth-seeded Midpark and top-seeded North Royalton, thanks to the pitching of Brenna Heffernan and offense of Ashley Klimczyk, Katie Jones, Mary Caraballo and Jordon Roso. Some of the faces are different for third-ranked Elyria, including freshman Carly Bachna and sophomore MacKenzie Phares, but some things remain the same. The Pioneers, making their ninth straight regional appearance, are well-seasoned, thanks to pitcher Caitlyn Minney, who transferred in two seasons ago from Keystone, along with Haley Looney, Alexis Roseboro, Marie Masters and Patty Davis.

PD pick: Elyria over Oregon Clay.

DIVISION II

AKRON

Where: Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Pkwy., Akron. Call 330-375-2855.

Semifinals: Canfield (18-8) vs. Fairless (24-4), today, 5 p.m.; Geneva (21-2) vs. Walsh Jesuit (24-5), Thursday, 2 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Fundamentally sound Fairless has gotten a lot of mileage out of sophomore pitcher Kelly Hysong. The Falcons have thrived on playing small ball and solid defense during the postseason, sparked by Hysong, Mikayla Fowler, Logan Bing, Katie Vogelsong, Robyn Miller, Jordan Tull and Olivia Loretto. Canfield, the 2008 state champion, which broke Poland Seminary's four-year district-tournament domination, is defensive-minded, thanks to sophomore Rachel Tinkey, senior Alexis Schmidt and standout catcher Amelia Mauenti, which pitcher Abby Baker knows all too well. With Schmidt, Tinkey and seniors Sydney Opladen and Kayley Keller, Canfield can put runs on the board. Pitchers got Premier Athletic Conference champion Geneva this far -- literally, since Eleshia Pitcher is the coach and her daughter, Amy Pitcher, is the mound ace. Sarah and Becky Depp, along with Alyssa Donato and Kylie Hansen, team with Amy Pitcher to make up a formidable offense. Eighth-ranked Walsh, champion of the tough North Coast League Blue Division, has seven seniors, but its top four hitters are underclassmen: Lilli Piper, Taylor Stimson, Riley Reiss and Taylor Rahach, who has also been a rock as a pitcher.

PD pick: Walsh Jesuit over Fairless.

BUCYRUS

Where: Bucyrus High School, 900 West Perry St., Bucyrus. Call 419-562-2739.

Semifinals: Mansfield Madison (24-4) vs. Lima Bath (28-1), today, 5 p.m.; Granville (22-6) vs. Firelands (18-11), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Fifth-ranked Madison, in its first regional in 15 seasons, is hitting .384 and riding a 12-game win streak behind ace pitcher/leading hitter Paige Carper and her younger sister, Chase Carper. Lima Bath, ranked No. 2 in the state, has seniors Camille Martin (SS) and Abbi Price (3B) sparking the offense, and second baseman Jenna Houston specializes in defense. The common denominator is pitcher Kimmy Reynolds, also a strong hitter. Sixth-ranked Granville, an experienced club, sports a 15-game win streak, including a win in the district title game over top-ranked and previously unbeaten River Valley. The catalyst is sophomore pitcher Abby Barker, who also provides offense, along with Malia Peterson, Anna Moorehead, Sarah Imhoff, Rachael Holt, Vega Theophilus, Danielle Wolgamot and Olivia Simon. Unranked Firelands advanced after defeating fourth-seeded Vermilion, second-seeded Clearview and top-seeded Keystone, the defending state champion. Baldwin Wallace recruit Samantha Dostall has been solid on the mound and with the bat but Amanda Spears, Lexi Shick, Cassidi Kowalski, Samantha Hribal, Alexis Willis and Rachel Leatherwood have also come up big. The Falcons have added incentive as head coach Judy Dostall is retiring after the season.

PD pick: Lima Bath over Firelands.

DIVISION III

MASSILLON

Where: Massillon Community Park, 2200 Finefrock Road SW, Massillon. Call 330-830-3900.

Semifinals: Columbia (26-4) vs. Loudonville (22-8), today, 5 p.m.; Youngstown Ursuline (20-9) vs. Leavittsburg LaBrae (17-8-1), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Columbia uses three pitchers -- Christine Lyzen, Amanda Sedlock and Kailey Minarchik. The Raiders' best offensive threat is senior/Baldwin Wallace recruit Emma Sullivan, followed by Emily Vaccarone, Sedlock and Kaley Marshall. Loudonville fell a win short of reaching last season's regional, but has gotten good pitching from Haylie Hurst and even better defense and offense from Bekka Leightenberger, Shelby Van Sickle, Sarah Wickline and Andi Heffelfinger. Ursuline, a 7-5 winner over LaBrae during the regular season, has gotten a huge boost from freshman pitcher Megan Ross. The Irish have Maddie Christoff and Lea Carroll as their lone starting seniors. Junior Macey Gunther has carried her share of the offensive load while sophomore pitcher Makayla Shore has been a pleasant addition. Shore sat out last season after transferring from Blackhawk (Pa.) High School. LaBrae, which advanced by beating two-time state champion Warren Champion, is loaded with youth at key positions. Pitcher Emily Dugan is a sophomore and freshman Kasey Reninger bats cleanup. Jessica Buck, Laura Hall and Lauren Rutherford can't be overlooked.

PD pick: Columbia over LaBrae.

DIVISION IV

KENT

Where: Kent State University Diamond at Dix, 2227 Summit Road, Kent. Call 330-672-8545.

Semifinals: Vienna Mathews (22-7) vs. Cuyahoga Heights (28-2), today, 5 p.m.; Jackson-Milton (21-8) vs. North Robinson Colonel Crawford (16-9), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Unranked Cuyahoga Heights will try to earn its first final-four berth. Vienna Mathews ranked fifth in the state, finished as state runner-up a year ago and returns its entire team. The Redskins got a boost from pitcher Meridith Chopka, who transferred from Woodridge. She has been nothing short of outstanding. They are young -- only two seniors -- but catcher Victoria Etter and third baseman Jessica Lynch are four-year starters. Mathews, winner of four consecutive titles in one of the toughest district tournaments in the state, also has a stellar pitcher in Cheyenne Eggens and a supporting cast of Tabby Granelly, Jacki Rhine, Halle Oatridge, Hollie Shreves and Jessica Marisco. Seventh-ranked Jackson-Milton reached its second-straight regional tourney, thanks primarily to pitcher Paije Kiraly. Also contributing is Bluejays career home run and RBI leader Caitlyn Carney. Zaina Shali, Madison Tomaino and Beth Ritchie have also been clutch. Colonel Crawford is making its 14th regional appearance. If pitcher/leading hitter Nickyla Garverick is on, Colonel Crawford could earn its seventh final-four berth, but first since 2002. Lexi Hoepf .464 and Bri Rankins are two reasons the Eagles have a .334 batting average.

PD pick: Cuyahoga Heights over Colonel Crawford.

Other inductees include Christi Smith -- the first Division I national champion in Akron Zips history and the school's first multiple All-American in track and field -- and Dave Keilitz, Kim Knuth and Bill Mallory. Ceremony is on Thursday at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference will induct seven former players or coaches into its Hall of Fame on Thursday at the MAC Honors Dinner at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.  

The seven inductees are Dave Keilitz (Central Michigan, baseball), Kim Knuth (Toledo, women’s basketball), Bill Mallory (Miami/Northern Illinois, football), Brad Maynard (Ball State, football), John Offerdahl (Western Michigan, football), Christi Smith (Akron, track and field) and Gary Trent (Ohio, men’s basketball).

The group will boost MAC Hall of Fame membership to 65.

For ticket information, call Julie Kachner at the Mid-American Conference office at 216-566-4622. Mid-American Conference headquarters are in Cleveland.

Brad Maynard was an NFL punter for 15 years, including his final season, 2011, as the Cleveland Browns' punter.

John Offerdahl made the Pro Bowl and earned various first-team All-NFL and All-AFC recognitions at linebacker in each of his first five seasons (1986-90) with the Miami Dolphins, before being slowed by injuries.

Gary Trent had a lengthy NBA career, playing mostly at forward.

From the MAC, bios on the 2013 Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame Class:

DAVE KEILITZ - Central Michigan (baseball):

Dave Keilitz has represented Central Michigan University with success throughout his entire career.  From his time as an award-winning baseball student-athlete to his years as a coach, then administrator, and now his role within the baseball community on a national level, Keilitz has impacted the athletics landscape a local, conference and national levels.

Keilitz became Central Michigan’s first All-America baseball player as a senior in 1964, earning first-team NAIA honors.  He then served Central Michigan as a graduate assistant coach then coach of the freshman team and eventually head baseball coach in 1971.  As head coach for 14 seasons, Keilitz compiled a 453-203-6 record, won four MAC titles and was named MAC Coach of the Year four times and twice was Regional Coach of the Year.

Throughout his coaching career, Keilitz never had a losing season.  He opened his head coaching career by leading the Chippewas to a No. 1 national ranking and into the NCAA College Division national championship game, and 28 years later led that 1971 squad into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame.  It was the first of six NCAA tournament appearances for Keilitz’s Chippewas.

Keilitz was hired as Central Michigan’s athletics director in 1984, leading the Chippewas to 26 MAC championships throughout his 10 years, a span in which every coach was named MAC Coach of the Year at least once.

Both during his time as coach and as athletics director, Keilitz also served on several American Baseball Coaches Association committees and was president of the organization in 1982. It was during his term that the ABCA Board of Directors was established, and he still serves as Executive Director today.  Major legislation accomplishments have also taken place under his watch – bracket expansion in all divisions, change of season legislation in Division I, ball and bat standards for college play, and recruiting, practice and playing rules.

Keilitz also served as a member of the NCAA Council from 1989-92, where he chaired the NCAA Baseball Committee, was a member of the NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Committee, the NCAA Committee to Review Legislative Process, and served on the NCAA Television Committee.  In 1992, chaired the committee to ‘Fine Tune’ Legislation from the 1991 NCAA ‘Reform’ Convention.

Keilitz and his wife, Sue, have two sons, Craig and Brad.  The couple currently resides in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

KIM KNUTH - Toledo (women’s basketball):

Kim Knuth was a two-time MAC Player of the Year (1997-98 and 1998-99), a three-time first-team All-MAC selection and the MAC Tournament MVP in 1999 and was named honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press in 1998-99.

Knuth is the MAC’s all-time leading scorer (2,509 points) for women’s basketball. She also ranks first in MAC history in steals (368) and field goals made (899); third in three-point field goal percentage (42.6%); sixth in free throws made (548) and 19th in assists (484).

In Toledo career annals, Knuth ranks first in points scored (2,509), eighth in rebounds (779), fifth in assists (484) and first in steals (368). She led the team in scoring as a sophomore (20.4), junior (22.0) and senior (25.4).

Knuth played on NCAA Tournament teams in 1996, 1997 and 1999, and on the WNIT team in 1998. During her four years with Toledo, the Rockets’ record was an amazing 101-23, including 60-10 in MAC play.

Knuth was named second-team Academic All-America as a senior in 1998-99. She was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and graduated Cum Laude from Toledo’s College of Engineering in 1999.

Knuth married former Rocket football player Ryan Klaer following her graduation in 1999.  The couple reside in St. Joseph, Mich.

BILL MALLORY - Miami/Northern Illinois (football):

Bill Mallory witnessed personal and team success, first as a football co-captain and assistant football coach, then as a head coach at four different universities – including two Mid-American Conference institutions—Miami and Northern Illinois.

Mallory (1953-56) won three varsity letters as a player at Miami University and earned first-team All-MAC honors and served as team co-captain in 1956.  Following graduation in 1957, Mallory served as an assistant coach on the staffs of College Football Hall of Famers Woody Hayes, Doyt Perry and Carm Cozza.

Mallory was named Miami’s head football coach in 1969 and established a 39-12 overall record in five seasons (1969-73), including a MAC title in 1973 (11-0 record), defeated Florida in the Tangerine Bowl (final ranking of No. 17) and the seventh best winning percentage (.765) in Miami football history—better winning percentage than Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler and Terry Hoeppner.

Mallory continued his head coaching career at Colorado for five seasons (1974-78), with an overall record of 35-21-1, including a Big Eight title in 1976 and two bowl appearances (1975 and 1976).  Mallory joined Northern Illinois as head coach in 1980 for four seasons (1980-83) and had an overall record of 25-19, a MAC title in 1983 (10-2 record) and a victory over Cal State Fullerton in the California Bowl.  He was head coach at Indiana for 13 years (1984-96) with an overall record of 69-77-3.  His first year as head coach the Hoosiers posted an 0-11 record and went on to produce seven winning seasons, six bowl appearances—All-American Bowl (1986), Peach Bowl (1987, 1990), Liberty Bowl (1988), Copper Bowl (1991) and Independence Bowl (1993).

During his collegiate head coaching career, Mallory collected an overall record of 166-120-4 (.579) in 27 seasons as head coach.  His teams defeated a dozen Top 25-ranked schools, including both No. 9 Ohio State and No. 11 Michigan in 1987.  Mallory was named Conference Coach of the Year four times (MAC, 1973 at Miami; MAC, 1983 at Northern Illinois; Big Ten, 1986 and 1987 at Indiana).

Mallory was inducted into the Miami University Athletic Hall of Fame (1980), the Northern Illinois University Athletic Hall of Fame (1999), the Indiana University Athletic Hall of Fame (1993), the Indiana Football Hall of Fame (1993) and Miami University’s ‘Cradle of Coaches’ Association (1995).

Mallory and his wife, Eleanor, have three sons, Mike, Curt and Doug.  The couple reside in Bloomington, Ind.

BRAD MAYNARD - Ball State (football):

Brad Maynard was a four year starter (1993-96) for Ball State University as a punter and was the first punter in the history of college football to be named an NCAA Division IA conference most valuable player.

During his collegiate career, Maynard ranks first in school history for punt yardage and punts in a career, and set the school and Conference record for career punt average. Maynard participated in two bowl games and following his senior season was invited to both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.

Maynard was a first team consensus All-American in both 1995 and 1996 and a second team All-American in 1994. Maynard was the Nation's No. 1 punter in 1995, No.3 punter in 1994 and the No. 6 punter in 1996.

In 1996, the MAC named Maynard the conference's Most Valuable Player and also the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first team All-MAC selection in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Maynard also earned second team honors in 1993. He was selected as an Academic All-MAC first team selection in 1994.

Maynard was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. During his NFL career, Maynard set NFL records for most punts in a Super Bowl, most punts by a rookie (1997) and most punt yards by a rookie (1997).  During his 15-year NFL career Maynard played for three different NFL teams -- the New York Giants (1997-2000), Chicago Bears (2001-2010) and Cleveland Browns (2011).

Ball State inducted Maynard into the Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.  Maynard and his wife, Karen, have three children and reside in Chicago, Ill.

JOHN OFFERDAHL - Western Michigan (football):

John Offerdahl (1982-85) was a third-team Associated Press All-American linebacker in 1984 and second-team in 1985, along with being the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Offerdahl set conference career record for tackles (694) and Western Michigan career leader for recovered fumbles (8) and second for forced fumbles (17).

Offerdahl topped the MAC in tackles (1983-84-85) and was second as a freshman in 1982. His 192 stops in 1983 is a Bronco season standard. His college No. 49 was retired by Western Michigan in 1995. Offerdahl was picked to play in the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl All-Star games and was Defensive MVP of the Senior Bowl.

Offerdahl was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second-round, 53rd overall, of the 1986 NFL Draft.  Offerdahl was named NFL Rookie of the Year in 1986 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons in the league.  Offerdahl retired prior to the start of the 1994 season, following three consecutive years of injuries.

Offerdahl started a successful chain of bagel shops in 1989, which became part of the coast-in-coast Noah Bagel Company. In 1990, the Offerdahl’s co-founded Offerdahl’s Bagel Gourmet and grew the concept to 10 stores before joining three other bagel entrepreneurs in March of 1995 to form Einstein Bros. Bagels, a national bagel retailer.

From March 1995 to June of 1996, Offerdahl served as VP of Operations for Florida. He was involved in growing 27 stores in the Florida market during that time. The public company currently operates over 400 stores system-wide. Offerdahl served on Einsteins’ Board of Directors until the spring of 1997.  Offerdahl currently operates seven quick-casual restaurants named Offerdahl’s Café Grille.

Offerdahl was inducted into the Western Michigan Hall of Fame in 1996.  He graduated from Western Michigan in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science.  Offerdahl and his wife, Lynn, have three children, Alexandra, Drew and Jameson.  The couple reside in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

CHRISTI SMITH - Akron (track and field):

Christi Smith is one of the most decorated student athletes from the University of Akron while lettering four years in track. As an undergraduate from 1997-2000, Smith was the first NCAA I national champion in school history and the first multiple All-American in Akron track and field history.

Christi made an impact early on the Akron program under the guidance of Head Coach Dennis Mitchell by setting six school records as a freshman, which included a 20’ 4 ½” effort in the long jump that provisionally qualified her for the NCAA Championships. Smith established five more school records in 1998 and, in addition, scored 29 points to earn the Most Valuable Performer at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships.

As a senior in 2000, Smith captured the heptathlon (100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meter dash, long jump, javelin and 800 meter run) with a school and MAC record-breaking 5,797 points at the NCAA I National Championship in Durham, N.C. This achievement was rewarded by being named an All-American for the fourth time in her collegiate career.

Smith also earned All-America accolades by finishing ninth in the NCAA I heptathlon as a sophomore in 1998, by finishing second in the event at the 1999 national championship and with a ninth place finish in the long jump at the 1999 NCAA I Indoor Championship. In addition, Smith, who had 11 wins in the long jump, triple jump, pentathlon, and heptathlon events at the MAC Indoor and Outdoor Track Championships between 1998-2000, earned first-team All-MAC honors seven times.

As a result, the Columbus, Ohio native became the first female athlete in school history to be voted the Caroline Pardee Female Athlete of the Year three times from 1998-2000. In 2000 Smith, who carried a 3.36 GPA in physical education, earning first team Academic All-MAC honors, was the first Akron female athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials and was a finalist for the NCAA’s James E. Sullivan Leadership Award.

After graduating in 2002, Smith entered the college track coaching ranks, first at Ohio University then Kent State and for the last four seasons at the University of Iowa. Smith currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa.

GARY TRENT - Ohio (men’s basketball):

Gary Trent established many Ohio University and Mid-American Conference accolades during his collegiate career (1992-95) in Athens, Ohio.  Trent is one of just three players in conference history with at least 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds and is the only three-time MAC Player of the Year in MAC history.  Trent was a three-time MAC scoring champion and two-time MAC rebounding leader.

Trent is Ohio’s third all-time leading scorer with 2,108 points and third all-time leading rebounder with 1,050 in just three seasons of play.  Trent is Ohio’s all-time leader in career points per game (22.7 avg.).

Trent was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 1993 and also earned All-MAC first-team honors.  Trent repeated as an All-MAC first team selection in 1994 and 1995, and also was named Honorable Mention All-American in 1995. Trent averaged 22.9 points and 12.8 rebounds as a junior in 1994-95, leading Ohio to a preseason NIT title and a berth in the postseason NIT.

Trent was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 11th overall selection of the 1995 NBA Draft and was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers.  Trent went on to enjoy an 11-year NBA career averaging more than eight points and four rebounds per game with Portland, Toronto, Dallas, and Minnesota.

Trent graduated from Ohio University in 2011 following his NBA career with a degree in management.  In 2012, Ohio retired Trent’s No. 20 jersey and he was inducted into the Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Trent is a positive role model for at-risk youth as Assistant Principal and Cultural Intervention Specialist at Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School in St. Paul, Minn.  Trent and his wife, Natalia, have four sons, Gary Jr., Garyson, Grayson and Graydon. The family resides in Apple Valley, Minn.

Read more about Chagrin Falls teen Paul Lewandowski, chosen to attend the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C., next month.

First Tee golfer Paul Lewandowski, chosen to participate in prestigious camp.Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin junior Paul Lewandowski of Chagrin Falls has been chosen to attend the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C., next month. He works at The Tanglewood Club and is a member of the NDCL team.

1. This is a pretty big deal. How did it come about?

"I applied through The First Tee Cleveland and the people there nominated me. I found out a few weeks ago. I've been going to The First Tee for years."

2. What are you expecting to get out of this?

"I am looking to get a great deal of instruction that will help me improve. I plan on meeting a lot of new people and plan on getting a new perspective on the game."

3. What is the strong point of your game?

 "Putting. I work on it a lot. I got cut from the golf team when I was a freshman because I had a hard time putting. So, I worked on it for two hours every day for like two weeks. I was determined to learn how to putt and I worked hard at it."

4. What needs work?

"My approach shots with long irons. My short game keeps me consistent. But, I need to get better with my long irons."

Special teams coaches are accustomed to rebuilding, but perhaps no NFL coordinator is dealing with as much uncertainly as the Cleveland Browns' Chris Tabor.

BEREA, Ohio -- As dark clouds gathered last Thursday afternoon, Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor worked with four rookies, teaching them how to align properly and protect the punter.

The veterans were long gone, off the practice fields and in the locker room. Coach Rob Chudzinski had just finished a media obligation. The sky began to spit rain as Tabor and a few assistants tutored the youngsters on the importance of the unit. One of them was outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo.

Would Tabor really use the No. 4 overall pick in the draft as a human shield for the punter?

"Everybody trains," the coach said. "It never hurts you to train guys because in our world anything can happen. It's happened before when you put a guy out on the field who hasn't practiced in weeks, but you trained him in [organized team activities] and minicamps and his recall is faster."

Special teams coaches are accustomed to rebuilding. Perhaps no NFL coordinator, however, is dealing with as much uncertainty as Tabor. While he's one of just two assistants from the previous staff retained – offensive line coach George Warhop is the other – Tabor must replace Phil Dawson and Josh Cribbs.

Who's the last Browns assistant to lose a pair of Pro Bowlers in one off-season? It's believed the new regime made no significant effort to keep the popular free agents who departed for the Bay Area -- Dawson to San Francisco and Cribbs to Oakland.

They were key pieces in helping the Browns finish 10th and third in special teams rankings compiled by footballoutsiders.com over the past two seasons.

"It was obviously great to coach those guys," Tabor said. "I feel very fortunate. But at the same time I'm excited about this group and the challenges that lie ahead and the things that we can build upon. In some areas we will start from scratch but that's OK. In my opinion as a coach that's the fun process."

Dawson's departure has drawn the wrath of many Browns fans. CBS analyst Steve Tasker, a former Pro Bowl special teams ace, understands the love for Dawson, but believes the absence of Cribbs is also substantial. Named to the NFL all-decade team, the Kent State product not only returned kicks and punts, but covered them as well.

"I think Cribbs is potentially a bigger loss over the course of a season," Tasker said. "He's a home-run hitter in the return game and a hammer on cover teams. . . . He sets the tone for the young guys to start taking pride in special teams."

One special-teams contributor the Browns refused to release was Tabor. According to an ESPN report, as many as six teams were denied permission to interview him. Oh, the irony.

As a young college coach, Tabor admits he tried to "avoid special teams like the plague." The former quarterback never played on the units save for a few holds on place-kicks. But since acquiring the punt-coverage responsibilities at Utah State in 2005, Tabor has immersed himself in special teams.

"In two years, special teams has shown great improvement [in Cleveland] and were one of the top units in the league last season," Chudzinski said. "In just sitting down and interviewing with Chris, it was easy to see why. He's very organized, he communicates very well with the players and has a good system and understanding of what needs to get done in that phase."

Tabor must replace a kicker, punter, kickoff and punt returners. Long snapper Christian Yount is the only specialist back this season.

The coordinator shed little light on the battle between kickers Shayne Graham and Brandon Bogotay, other than to say he doesn't expect to keep a kickoff specialist.

Travis Benjamin figures to inherit the punt-return duties, but Tabor plans to audition many return men including both gunners last season, Johnson Bademosi and Buster Skrine. While coaching the Chicago Bears from 2008 to 2010, Tabor involved three players -- Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning -- in the return game.

"They all excelled for us and you were able to do different things with them because they had different skill sets," Tabor said of the Bears returners. "That's what we want to get to here, developing a bunch of guys. I just don't need that one guy."

Tabor is detail obsessive, going as far as to tell a reporter inquiring about his hometown of St. Joseph, Mo., that it was the starting point of the Pony Express and end of the line for Jesse James, killed there in 1882.

"Betcha you didn't know that," he said.

Asked about Cribbs, Tabor concedes he's one of his all-time favorite players, but that his absence presents an opportunity for others to make a name for themselves and the Browns.

"The young guys have to step up and do those things and learn from the guys in the past," Tabor said, "and get that swagger, so to speak, that we are a good special-teams unit and we're going to continue that tradition."

Even as the two players who helped establish it are now on either side of the Bay Bridge.

A look at two gloves and how they can help your game.

Leadbetter Correct Grip Glove

 

The draw: Every golf swing starts with the grip and most amateurs have a poor grip. The Leadbetter glove helps a golfer grip the club properly because of visual feedback that makes it easy to understand and remember. The four key elements of the grip -- palm alignment (shows where the club should rest in leading hand); a lifeline indicator on the thumb of the leading hand (aligns with the golfer's opposite hand); the knuckle indicator (one knuckle for a neutral grip, two for a strong grip); and the v-patch (the "v" formed with the thumb and index finger pointing to the right shoulder, for right-handed players) -- are easily visible and simple to follow. Eventually, gripping the club properly will become second nature.

The scorecard: The glove is made of 100 percent cabretta leather and looks smart. It retails for $19.95. That may seem expensive but it is likely to last more than a season or two. My only objection is that it is very thick, not batting-glove thick but thicker than most golf gloves. It is available many places, including correctgrip.com, Valleaire Golf Club in Hinckley and GolfTec (Beachwood and North Olmsted).

-- Tim Rogers

SensoGlove

 

The draw: Sam Snead's advice never helped me. If I grip a club as though holding a baby bird, I never know where it will fly. Still, many of us could benefit from a lighter grip, and the SensoGlove might help. The cabretta leather glove uses a built-in, 1.2-inch LED monitor to analyze grip pressure through sensors in each finger. You can set it to automatically sense the correct pressure for you, based on your grip strength, or you can select your own target level. Grip too tightly, and it chirps at you while showing which fingers need relaxing. I was skeptical until I took it to the range. After I pulled a few 5-irons, the glove indicated I was gripping too tightly with my fourth and fifth fingers. I let up and flushed it. Switching to my driver, I managed to keep the little bugger quiet. I doubt I would ever wear this glove on the course, but I'm ready to practice with it again.

The scorecard: Available for $89 at sensoglove.com, although it's marked down 20 percent to $71.20 until June 17 as a Father's Day promo. (Use coupon code "FathersDay13.") If you wear out the glove, you can get a replacement for $22.48 and attach your old computer.

-- Staff reports

GM Chris Antonetti is looking at the players already on the roster to fill the holes in the Cleveland Indians' bullpen.

Cincinnati -- GM Chris Antonetti will explore trade opportunities to improve the Indians' sore-armed bullpen. Right now, however, he feels the answers are already at hand.

"I'm very confident in the guys we have in the bullpen," said Antonetti. "I think it will continue to be a strength of our team."

An MRI on closer Chris Perez's right shoulder showed he has tendinitis in the rotator cuff. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday and won't pick up a baseball for five to seven days. If he has no pain after that, he'll start his comeback.

The Indians' pen problems run deeper than Perez. New closer Vinnie Pestano came off the disabled list on May 16 and has shown a significant drop in velocity. After starting the season 8-0, the pen has lost three straight games and converted just one of seven save opportunities in the 11 games entering Tuesday night's contest against the Reds.

"Losing your closer is never easy, but we still feel the solutions are in our clubhouse," said Antonetti.

Veteran closer Matt Capps, who didn't make the team out of spring training, is in Class AAA Columbus but unavailable because of right shoulder problems. Former Tribe draft pick Brian Wilson (No. 30 in 2000), San Francisco's bearded closer when they won the World Series in 2010, is a free agent, but still recovering from his second Tommy John surgery.

Wilson will reportedly audition for teams at the All-Star break.

Regarding Pestano's elbow, Antonetti said: "What we need to do with Vinnie is get him out on the mound regularly. Physically, Lonnie Soloff [Indians head athletic trainer] says the elbow is not an issue."

Manager Terry Francona said the results of Monday's MRI on Perez's shoulder were as good as could be expected.

"Structurally everything was good in the shoulder," said Francona. "He has inflammation that is causing an impingement. They have recent scans to look at and compare the new one to, so structurally he's in good shape."

The Indians believe the damage to Perez's rotator cuff is not serious, although it has lingered since spring training. He is expected to return at or a short time after his 15-day stay on the DL expires on June 11.

The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles. Perez strained the subscapularis muscle, the largest in the cuff, in late February. The latest injury is to a different muscle.

Less is more: In his past two starts Corey Kluber is 0-1, but has a 2.77 ERA (four runs in 13 innings) with 18 strikeouts, one walk and 11 hits. He has lowered his overall ERA from 5.40 to 4.57.

"In the past, we've been trying to limit the use of his cutter just to see what his other pitches can do," said pitching coach Mickey Callaway. "He's got on board with that [and] he's been doing a good job with it."

Callaway says the velocity on Kluber's fastball has increased because he's throwing it more. He's been hitting 95 and 96 mph in his past two starts.

"Anybody who throws their fastball more is going to improve the command and velocity of that pitch," said Callaway. "Another thing we've seen is that by limiting his cutter, he's gotten his slider/curveball back to where it was. In his last start he got five of his 10 punchouts on that pitch."

Shake it off: What Ubaldo Jimenez did Monday would have never happened last year. Jimenez turned in a solid start against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked four in a 4-2 loss.

It came after Jimenez allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings against Detroit in an 11-7 loss on May 22.

"That was just a bump in the road," Jimenez. "I was successful before that start. Last year I couldn't have done that because I wasn't in the position to do it with my mechanics." Finally: Brett Myers had his right elbow examined Tuesday and the Indians have shut him down for five to seven days. He was scheduled to make his third rehab start Monday at Columbus.

An increase in Belgian players in the English Premier League has led to increased respect for the quality of soccer in Belgium.

View full sizeMembers of the Belgian team work out Tuesday at FirstEnergy Stadium.Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- While hanging out in the locker rooms of the English Premier League, players can't help but boast about their home countries and the national teams they play for.

Thomas Vermaelen has noticed a shift in the conversation in recent years as he talks with his teammates on Arsenal FC and throughout the league about his beloved Belgium.

"They're looking at us with great respect because we have a lot of players who play in the Premier League," Vermaelen said. "They see them every week, so they know what a quality side we are. But we still have to do it, we have to get good results."

With 10 players from the English Premier League and one from Bayern Munich of Germany's Bundesliga, 15th-ranked Belgium is one of the hottest young teams in the world.

And U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann is glad his side will be facing such a talented squad in a friendly Wednesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"To play two so-called weaker teams right now to build confidence, we'll get beaten up in Jamaica," Klinsmann said, referring to the United States' next World Cup qualifying match. "So I always want the best teams available out there to measure ourselves, to give us competition."

Top players include forward Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) and midfielder Marouane Fellaini (Everton).

According to many, the rise of talented, young Belgian players has a lot to do with the improvement of soccer academies that groom the youngsters. Many players have then gone off to Premier League teams where they have acquired even more skill while playing against the world's toughest competition.

"It's not something that just comes in one day," Vermaelen said. "There's a lot of talent in the group. We had a difficult time a few years ago, but now the results are coming. Players are going to better teams, getting better individually and bringing that back to the group."

And the United States is grateful for the test Belgium will provide.

"If you look at their lineup, they have a lot of top-class players in there who will give us a tough test," Kilnsmann said. "That's what we need. We need to get another measurement."

Injured Belgian? One of the two Belgian players named to the 2013 Premier League Team of the Year might be hobbled tonight. Defender Jan Vertonghen, who plays for Tottenham, suffered what appeared to be a left ankle injury during Tuesday's practice. The session stopped for several minutes before he limped off and spent the rest of the practice with the ankle wrapped in ice.

More futbol? Browns CEO Joe Banner said Thursday the club would like to attract more international soccer to FirstEnergy Stadium in coming years, perhaps even European club teams who are playing American exhibitions with greater frequency. English sides Manchester City and Chelsea drew big crowds in St. Louis and New York last week.

More than 22,000 tickets have been sold for the U.S.-Belgium match.

"We hosted those events in Philadelphia and we have the relationships," said Banner who worked for the Eagles' organization for two decades. "But you have to build a foundation. You don't just bring in these international events that attract 50,000 or 60,000 people. This group is going to have to establish it will treat people in that community well, attract a good crowd and feel good about their experience here."

Busy season: This week's American friendlies fall just as many international club seasons are ending. U.S. coach Klinsmann is respectful of the fact even as he wants to get his players on the field and playing together.

Klinsmann said he's giving midfielder Michael Bradley a few days to rest. Bradley won't play tonight after flying home from Italy, where his AS Roma club team played in a championship game Sunday. Belgium is dealing with the same issue. One of its top players, Eden Hazard, who accompanied Chelsea to the United States for exhibition games, returned to Belgium to receive treatment for a minor injury.

Klinsmann is also mindful that more than a handful of his players are in season with MLS clubs.

Futbol fans: A group of Browns players, including quarterback Brandon Weeden and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson attended the American practice. As training ended, the football and futbol players had an opportunity to interact.

Traffic woes: Because of filming for the latest Captain America film, road closures might make getting to FirstEnergy Stadium more difficult. Portions of East Ninth Street will be closed today, and U.S. soccer officials recommend using the Shoreway and avoiding the East Ninth Street exit from I-90.

New TV: The television broadcast of Wednesday's game has been moved from ESPN2 to ESPN.

At stake: The top four in each event qualify for the state meet, June 7-8, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ohio State University, Columbus. Admission: $6.

At stake: The top four in each event qualify for the state meet, June 7-8, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ohio State University, Columbus.

Admission: $6.

DIVISION I

Amherst

Where: Amherst High School, Richard S. Cooley Track, 450 Washington St., Amherst.

When: Today, field events 4 p.m., track events 4:30 p.m.; Friday, field events 4:30 p.m., track finals 6 p.m. Call 440-988-4433.

Who: Qualifiers from Amherst, Lakewood, Tiffin and Toledo districts.

Boys outlook: Defending regional and state champion St. Edward appears loaded for another run with top qualifiers in the discus and shot put (Aaron Zedella), 100 (Anthony Young), 110 and 300 hurdles (Steele Wasik) and 4x200, plus two-time defending state champ Young in the 200, Shaun Crawford in the 100 and a strong 4x100. John F. Kennedy's Antwon Smith appears ready to challenge Young in the 200 and is a contender in the 400 and long jump. Midpark's Aaron Owens and Branson Repasy lead a deep pole vault field. Others to watch include Berea's Dan Zupan (800, 1,600, 4x400), Midpark's Lou Styles (1,600), Brunswick's Tyler Menear (3,200) and the Medina and Amherst 4x800 relays.

Girls outlook: Top teams include Medina, Lorain, Avon Lake, Amherst, Brunswick, Rocky River, Bay, St. Joseph Academy, Magnificat and Normandy. Avon Lake senior Christine Bohan qualified in four field events and could advance in all of them. Lorain junior Jocelynn Rogers comes in off 100-meter and 200-meter district wins and two winning efforts as part of sprint relays. Lakewood senior Amanda Sacha and Bay freshman Olivia Bechtel square off in the 400 off district wins. Rocky River senior Madi Connelly has the 800 in sights after a late fall cost her a year ago. Amherst has been peaking after winning conference and district titles. Amherst junior Sher Champe will go in the 400 and has a strong role in relays. Comets figure to get pushed from deep St. Joseph Academy, winners of nine events at Lakewood district. Freshman Kyrielle Williams in high jump and 100 hurdles; junior Rachel McGuire in 800 and 1,600; sophomore Brittany Morrison in discus and shot put; along with versatile senior Marykate Caja in 300 hurdles give Jaguars shot at plenty of points. JFK senior Stephanie Hale looks strong in 200 and gives Eagles solid shot to advance in 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

Austintown Fitch

Where: Austintown Fitch High School, 4560 Falcon Drive, Austintown.

When: Today, field events 4 p.m., track events 4:30 p.m.; Friday, field events 5 p.m., track finals 6 p.m. Call 330-797-3900.

Who: Qualifiers from Austintown, Mentor, North Canton and Nordonia boys and girls districts.

Boys outlook: Solon should repeat as champion while Cleveland Heights tries to recover from losing its 4x200 to a disqualification at the Mentor district. Solon can position itself for a run at state meet team hardware. All eyes will be on a remarkable field for the 1,600 final Friday featuring Hudson sophomore Kyle Mau, Twinsburg junior Garrett Crichlow, Boardman junior Mark Hadley and Solon senior Kevin Blank, who are four of the state's top five. Solon senior Khoury Crenshaw is the defending state 100 champ and is entered in four events, including the 200, where 2012 state runner-up Shelton Gibson of Cleveland Heights is the top qualifier. Others to watch include Chardon's Nick Elswick (3,200), Glenville's Jacquez Riggs (400) and William Robinson (300 hurdles), Stow's Paul Lovell (800), Mentor's John Maurins (shot put) and Willoughby South's Kareem Hunt (100, long jump, high jump).

Girls outlook: Top teams include Solon, Mentor, Chardon, West Geauga, Cleveland Heights, Buchtel, Wadsworth, Shaker Heights, Stow, Austintown Fitch, Geneva, Warren Harding, Canfield and Boardman. Solon is primed to continue its seasonlong run, beginning with the state indoor title in March. Junior Jelvon Butler was Nordonia district titlist in 100 and 200 and member of winning 4x200. Solon senior Therese Haiss, defending state 800 champ and runner-up in 1,600, will go in those events and strong 4x800. Junior Alexis Gray is geared to score points for the Comets in discus and shot put. West Geauga senior Chantel Richardson, defending state champ in long jump, looks to make her mark in both hurdles and as part of 4x100. Mentor freshman Aysha Muhammad figures to give Richardson heat in both hurdles after winning 300 at Mentor district. Nordonia senior Taylor McDonald will run both hurdles. Versatile Chardon junior Stephanie Ferrante has been a strong threat all year and comes in off district wins in 100, 200 and 400. Mentor has strong distance threats in Ashlyn Woods in 1,600 and Cassie Rozic in 800, along with both contributing to 4x800. Bedford sophomore Tiara Stephens has Bearcats' hopes after 18-33/4 winning long jump at Nordonia district.

DIVISION III

Navarre

Where: Fairless High School, Barry Askren Memorial Track, 11885 Navarre Road, Navarre.

When: Today, field events 4 p.m., track events 4:30 p.m.; Friday, field events 5 p.m., track finals 6 p.m. Call 330-767-3444.

Who: Qualifiers from Independence, New Middletown, Norwayne and Newcomerstown No. 1 districts.

Boys outlook: No team here is more thrilled than Gilmour, which won its first district title in six years Friday at Independence, sharing honors with defending champion Cortland Maplewood. The Lancers' Alexander Clapacs won the 800 (meet- and school-record time of 1:55.26) and anchored the winning 4x400 relay. Other top local teams here are Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Kirtland, Mogadore and Rootstown. Rootstown's David Paliscak is coming off a district double with wins in the shot put (meet-record 59-5) and discus. Also watch Independence sophomore Brian Calvey, who set a district meet record in the 400 (49.38); St. Peter Chanel's 4x100 relay team of Masai McDaniel, Rodell Golphin, Brionne Duke and Devin Wingfield (district meet record of 43.31); and Cuyahoga Heights senior pole vaulter Ricky Rospierski (district meet record of 14 feet, 11/4 inches).

Girls outlook: Top teams include Gilmour Academy, Trinity, Hawken, Independence, Cuyahoga Heights, Canton Central Catholic, St. Thomas Aquinas, Smithville, Rittman, Warren JFK, Wellsville and McDonald. Gilmour won its 11th straight district at Independence. The Lancers will be counting on versatile seniors Alexis Anton in 800, Briah Owens in the 100 and 200, junior Halle Markel in the 3,200, sophomore Caitlin Whetstone in the 1,600, freshman Hannah Markel in the 3,200 and freshman Brooke Zedar in the pole vault. Gilmour also has a presence in three relays. Defending 3,200 state champion Alexandra Markovich from Hawken will go in the 1,600 and 3,200, as will senior teammate Rachel McKay. Newbury senior Katie MacPherson will go in both hurdles and the high jump. Trinity junior Amber Eles will challenge in both jumps. Trinity also gets double duty from freshman Daija Young in shot put and discus. The Trojans also have hurdles threat in sophomore Amber Eles. Berkshire sophomore Suzanne Koziol won district 300 hurdles. Independence junior Deanna Gesicki gives her best in 400. Trinity, Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Cuyahoga Heights will have to deal with strong relay fields.

-- Joe Maxse, Tim Warsinskey

Clint Dempsey's attitude and approach, along with the ability to deliver big goals, helped persuade U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann to give Dempsey the captain's arm band for the past two World Cup qualifiers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- U.S. soccer star Clint Dempsey never has been afraid to test the limits of his talents or Texas-sized ambitions.

Just rising from his trailer-park origins to make it as a professional player didn't satisfy him. Neither did winning MLS rookie-of-the-year honors or reaching the English Premier League. The 30-year-old Dempsey is a risk-taker -- one who releases soccer rap videos, attempts audacious shots in pivotal moments and isn't shy about telling his employer he wants to play for a more competitive club team.

"[It's about] pushing yourself to play at the highest level possible, going to Europe, being able to play with the national team and dealing with the pressure to try to qualify [for the World Cup]," Dempsey said after a Tuesday training session at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"It's nothing new. It doesn't change. Putting yourself in those situations for either your country or your club it only makes you better."

It's that attitude and approach, along with the ability to deliver big goals, that helped persuade U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann to give Dempsey the captain's arm band for the past two World Cup qualifiers. The forward likely will wear it again tonight if he's in the lineup for the international exhibition here against Belgium.

Dempsey has not been named the team's permanent captain, but he projects the confidence, swagger and enterprise the German-born coach wants from his team. With former captain Carlos Bocanegra and U.S all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan left off the roster for the current qualifying cycle, the responsibility to lead falls to the player most American fans know as "Deuce."

He never dreamed of becoming captain of the national side growing up in Nacogdoches, Texas, but he honored Klinsmann's request. In his game donning the band, Dempsey scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica, the March 22 World Cup qualifier played in a blizzard.

"Clint is the type of person who has worked his way through his entire career, who's always been hungry, who's always looked for the next challenge and never shied away from it," Klinsmann said.

Dempsey just concluded his first season with Tottenham Hotspur of the EPL after making it known he wanted to leave his former English side of five years, Fulham, for a shot at UEFA Champions League. Tottenham just missed qualifying for Europe's most prestigious club tournament, but Dempsey had a solid season with 12 goals in all competitions.

Some might view his move as a LeBron-esque power play, but those close to game believe Dempsey was within his right.

"Clint definitely made the right decision to leave Fulham for Spurs," ESPN match commentator Ian Darke said. "A shame they did not quite realize his dream of reaching the Champions League this season. He has developed into a top player who can create and score freely, though I think its fair to say Spurs fans have not seen the best of him yet."

Dempsey scored 21 goals in his final season at Fulham. His 12 World Cup-qualifying goals ties him for first all time for Americans with Donovan, who's always felt more comfortable playing in MLS than in Europe.

While Donovan has been the face of U.S. soccer for years, Dempsey has spent a lifetime working to reach this strata. He didn't grow up in suburbia, playing a structured style like so many American kids. His intuitive, creative game seems straight off the dusty streets of a South American town.

He learned soccer while living in a trailer on his grandmother's property, often playing with the Hispanic kids in his community. Money was tight, but his parents did their best to finance their kids' athletic dreams. They drove young Clint 170 miles to Dallas several times a week so he could face superior competition.

In 1995, his sister, Jennifer, a budding tennis star, died of an aneurysm at age 16. Devastated, Dempsey vowed to make the most of every opportunity and moment. He earned a scholarship to Furman University. He was drafted by the New England Revolution with the No. 8 overall pick in 2004. Three years later, Fulham paid a $5 million transfer fee to acquire him.

Whether playing for his club or national team Dempsey scores important goals. His first at Fulham in the last match of the 2007 season spared it from relegation. Three years later, he scored an outrageous goal from 20 yards to stun Italian power Juventus, helping Fulham reach the Europa Cup final.

His unconventional style led former U.S. coach Bruce Arena to tell Sports Illustrated that Dempsey likes to "try sh--."

Former U.S. player and ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas finds its refreshing even though at times it can madden teammates not used to his game.

Lalas also can appreciate Dempsey's musical stylings. In 2006, the two-time U.S. World Cup member made the "Don't Tread (On This)" rap video.

"He's much better than me [rapping], but that's not saying much," Lalas said jokingly. "He has kept the Texas attitude through and through and that's what helps make him good. He loves to prove people wrong and, to a certain extent, he hates being told what he can't do.

"All greats have an ego that drives them and it's a good ego -- and he's got it in spades."

The Columbus Clippers lost an International League game at Louisville, Ky., 8-2, despite a complete game from T.J. House.

T.J. House 

Class AAA: Louisville 5, Columbus 2 T.J. House (1-3) pitched an eight-inning complete game in Louisville, Ky., but was the losing pitcher. Two of the runs he gave up were unearned. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four, but did serve up a two-run homer. All of the Clippers' six hits were singles.

Class AA: Harrisburg 9, Akron 1 Aeros starter Robert Whitenack (0-1) walked eight in four innings, and surrendered seven runs, all earned, in a loss at Canal Park to the Senators. He also uncorked two wild pitches.

Class A Advanced: Wilmington 6, Carolina 0 The host Mudcats managed only five hits -- four singles -- in a loss at home to the Wilmington, Del., Blue Rocks.

Class A: Lake County The game between the Bowling Green, Ky., Hot Rods and the Captains in Eastlake was rained out. It is rescheduled as part of a doubleheader at 1 p.m. today at Classic Park. Both will be seven-inning games.

Independent: Florence 8, Lake Erie 2 The Crushers gave up six runs in the final three innings, and dropped the series opener to Florence, Ky., in Avon.

Roy Hibbert's double double leads Pacers to win.

View full sizeLeBron James offers up a boo-boo face after being called for a foul during the second half of the Heat's 99-92 loss to the Pacers on Tuesday in Indianapolis. James would later foul out for the second time in 128 playoff games. Michael Conroy, AP

INDIANAPOLIS -- Roy Hibbert had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Lance Stephenson added 20 points, and the Indiana Pacers charged back late to beat the Miami Heat, 99-92, on Tuesday night and tie the Eastern Conference finals at 2-2.

LeBron James led the Heat with 24 points before fouling out with 56 seconds to go. Mario Chalmers had 20 points on a night the defending NBA champs failed to take command of the series.

The Heat will host Game 5 on Thursday.

"We're not going anywhere. We're going back down to Miami to go out there and fight again," Hibbert said.

The Pacers started fast and spent the rest of the night trying to fend off Miami's continual comebacks.

But with Indiana leading, 81-72, early in the fourth, Miami answered with a 14-2 run that gave the Heat an 86-83 lead.

Indiana tied the score on Paul George's three-point play and erased the Miami lead by closing the game on a 16-6 run.

Indiana was in desperation mode -- and it showed.

Bodies crashed to the ground all night. An angry George uncharacteristically smacked the floor after being called for a foul in the third quarter, leading to a technical foul on coach Frank Vogel. And the defense did a far better job against James and his high-scoring teammates. James finished 8-of-18 from the field.

But the Pacers did not get rattled.

Instead, they answered every challenge Miami posed as they had in the first two games of this series.

When Miami used a 9-0 run to take a 60-54 lead early in the third quarter, Indiana answered immediately with a 10-0 run to regain the lead. When James committed an offensive foul with 2 seconds left in the third quarter, his first turnover since the end of Game 2, the Pacers got a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Stephenson to make it 77-70.

Even as the Heat rallied in the fourth, charging back from an 81-72 deficit to take an 86-83 lead, the Pacers answered. George tied the score on a three-point play on which James committed his fourth foul.

Ray Allen broke the tie with a 3 from the left wing, but after corralling rebound after rebound, Indiana went on a 7-0 run to retake the lead and Miami never tied it again.

This was not the same Miami team that dominated Indiana in Game 3. Nor was it the same Pacers defense that got overrun by James and his teammates two nights earlier.

Miami struggled to score early, Dwyane Wade was limping noticeably in the first half and forward Chris Bosh hurt his right knee in the first half and his right ankle in the second. The Big Three combined to go just 14-of-39 from the field.

Indiana, meanwhile, reverted to its more traditional style. The Pacers had a 49-30 rebounding advantage and outscored Miami in the paint, 50-32.

The Cleveland Indians' offense was once again silent and catcher Carlos Santana made a critical error Tuesday night as the Reds completed a two-game sweep with a 8-2 victory at Great American Ballpark.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- OK, so the other shoe has dropped. The Indians' bullpen has the tread marks on its back as proof. So when does the trap door open?

When does the long, slow slog toward another 5-24 August begin?

The Reds bulldozed the Indians on Tuesday night, 8-2, at Great American Ballpark to complete a two-game sweep. The series continues with a two-game set starting Wednesday night at Progressive Field and these Reds are exactly what these Indians don't need.

Terry Francona's club has lost five straight, matching its longest losing streak of the season, and seven of the past eight games. The team that looked as if it couldn't lose from April 28 through May 20 now looks like it can't win.

The Reds are streaking. They are 18-5 since May 3 and have won 14 of their past 18 games against the Indians in the Queen City.

Former Indians Shin-Soo Choo, Jack Hannahan and Brandon Phillips had a hand in Tuesday's defeat. In the first two games of the series, Choo is 4-for-7 with three runs, one double, one homer and one RBI. He has reached base six times in nine plate appearances.

"It's exciting to play against my old team," said Choo.

Hannahan didn't play Monday, but the Tribe's former third baseman hit consecutive doubles on Tuesday. After taking an 0-for-3 on Monday, Phillips went 2-for-4 against the team he loves to beat. He also took a Zach McAllister fastball in the ribs as retaliation for closer Aroldis Chapman buzzing Nick Swisher's head in the ninth inning Monday.

"I was trying to go in and it just went in a little farther than I thought," said McAllister. "There was no carry over."

Mat Latos (5-0, 3.01), who pitched the Reds to victory, saw it differently. He said McAllister hit Phillips on purpose.

"One hundred percent," said Latos, "but you know that it's retaliation because they have to stand up for their player. Price (pitching coach Bryan Price) came up to me and basically said, 'Look, we feel what happened Monday, they were protecting their player today.'

"It is what it is. You take it in stride. We got a W. We're even. We're Switzerland I guess. We'll let it go."

McAllister spent as big chunk of last season with the Indians. He bumped and grinded his way through August and September and the Indians slipped and slid to 94 losses.

Tuesday night, after scattering 10 hits, but only three runs through 5 1/3 innings, he said this year's team is nothing like last year's Indians.

"This doesn't remind me at all of last year. Not at all," said McAllister. "This is a completely different team. A completely different attitude. This is an exciting team. I know we've lost some games right now, it's been a rough stretch, but it's exciting right now.

"I think everyone in here is excited about the way we've been playing. ... We've played a lot of tough games lately that could have gone either way."

McAllister (4-4, 3.08) was 3-0 in his previous five starts before Tuesday. He struck out six, walked four and for the 12th straight start allowed three or fewer runs in five or more innings.

The Reds took a 3-0 lead in the first as Choo opened with a double, took third on Zach Cozart's bunt single and scored on Joey Votto's single. McAllister retired the next two batters, but Xavier Paul's soft liner over Asdrubal Cabrera's head at short delivered two runs.

The Indians made it 3-1 on Michael Bourn's two-out single off Latos (5-0, 3.01) in the fifth. Bourn, Drew Stubbs and Carlos Santana were at their best defensively in the bottom of the same inning to keep McAllister out of trouble.

Bourn, with two on and no one out, stole extra bases from Jay Bruce with a diving catch in right center. Santana picked off Votto at second and Stubbs ran down Devin Mesoraco's bolt to the warning track in right center.

Santana's defense took a turn for the worse in Cincinnati's four-run seventh that iced the game.

Mesoraco, with Phillips on first and Paul on second, pounded a ball in front of the plate. Santana bounced out from behind the dish, but over-ran the ball. He picked it up and threw it down the right-field line as Phillips scored, Paul went to third and Mesoraco to second.

"The ball just backed up on him," said Francona.

It was another ugly night for the bullpen, which allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings. In the past 12 games, the pen is 3-3 with a 7.82 ERA (33 runs in 38 innings).

The Memorial Tournament brings Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods together.

DUBLIN, Ohio -- They sat in the same chair on the same stage an hour apart Wednesday, separated in age by 36 years and in major titles by four.

Jack Nicklaus wore a gray suit and pink tie when he asked for a moment as he stopped to tie his shoes before his usual pre-Memorial news conference, then interrupted himself to fix his hair when he got a signal from the back of the room passed on by Barbara, his wife of 52 years.

"Is that better?" the 73-year-old Nicklaus asked, running his hands through his still golden, if thinning, hair.

"She's back there doing this," Nicklaus said, pointing to his head. "She used to do this when I lifted my head when I putted. ... All these years I've been doing that."

Tiger Woods wore a blue golf shirt and a white cap bearing his TW logo that curved across his forehead, casting a shadow across his face. He talked about playing Merion Golf Club, the site of the upcoming U.S. Open, on Tuesday, then when asked about the recent run of controversies on the PGA Tour -- from his verbal scuffle with Sergio Garcia to the debate over anchored putters to Vijay Singh's lawsuit against the tour -- said only, "Well, I've won four times this year."

It was hard to envision Woods 35 years from now looking to the back of the room and making a joke about his wife wanting him to him to fix his hair.

View full size"Tiger seems to play very well here," Nicklaus said Wednesday. "I'm delighted that this is one of the golf courses that he likes."Jay LaPrete, Associated Press 

They are of a different time and place and attitude, united primarily by accomplishment. But every year, The Memorial Tournament brings Nicklaus and Woods together. It may be the best chance the two best players in golf history have to understand each other.

Woods is back at Muirfield Village for the 14th time this year, teeing off at 1:16 p.m. Thursday as the defending champ and only five-time winner of the event Nicklaus created. It's where they share the course, without both having to tee it up.

That's what they used to do. Thirty-eight times in their careers Woods and Nicklaus played in the same PGA Tour event. The first was the Honda Classic in 1993, when Woods was playing in his third career PGA event as a 17-year-old amateur and missed the cut with a 6 over score that bested the 9 over of the 53-year-old Nicklaus.

The last time was at the 2005 British Open, when Woods won his 10th major by five strokes over Colin Montgomerie and Nicklaus said his farewell to competitive golf with a birdie at the 18th at St. Andrews.

Woods won seven of his major titles among the 21 times he and Nicklaus shared a major field. Nicklaus made his last run at a major with Woods in the field, tying for sixth at the 1998 Masters at 5 under while Woods tied for eighth at 3 under. With Woods on his way up and Nicklaus on his way out, Nicklaus finished with a better score in seven of those 38 common events.

While Nicklaus occupied a greenside seat for Woods' rise, the challenger never experienced the best of the champ. That leaves Muirfield Village to help explain Nicklaus the golfer to Woods the golfer, and for Woods' assault on Nicklaus' records to include a more direct connection. It was at The Memorial last year where Woods tied Nicklaus with 73 career PGA Tour wins. He now has 78.

"I think I've always played Nicklaus courses well," Woods said Wednesday. "For some reason I just feel comfortable on his golf courses, the way he sets it up.

"Jack always was one of the best course managers that's ever lived. And how he managed not just the emotions, but managed the golf course and the strategy behind how he played it."

Woods sees that in the design at Muirfield.

"He gives you options and shots to shape to play his courses," Woods said. "If you don't hit the ball in the right spot, you get penalized. ... He played very disciplined, and at times he was very aggressive, but those were at the right times. And he gives you opportunities to do that the way he designs golf courses."

No one has taken those opportunities like Woods.

"It fits his eye," Nicklaus said. "There are some golf courses that fit people's eyes."

"Tiger seems to play very well here. He's got several courses he plays well at -- Pebble, St. Andrews, Augusta, Bay Hill. ... I'm delighted that this is one of the golf courses that he likes."

They are not best pals. But they have shared a congratulatory handshake behind the 18th at Muirfield Village five times. Nicklaus took a moment Wednesday to take umbrage with stories from last month that quoted Nicklaus as saying he'd never had a conversation with Woods that lasted more than a minute or two.

Nicklaus said he has "talked to Tiger a lot," but never for long on the topic of Woods' record. And that's what Nicklaus said he was talking about.

And there is always talk about Woods. On the latest flap with Sergio Garcia, who made a comment about serving fried chicken if he had Woods over for dinner, Nicklaus said, "I mean, it's stupid. ... In our days, I suppose there were times when you had an issue with somebody and it came about, but you never read about it."

With Woods, everything is covered and will continue to be. That includes how he plays at Nicklaus' event; and as the No. 1 player in the world, he could certainly add title No. 6 this week.

"It's about playing well, hopefully winning the event and carrying that confidence into the Open," Woods said.

At Merion in two weeks he'll try to win his 15th major, to continue a climb toward Nicklaus' 18 that has stalled since Woods' last major win at the 2008 U.S. Open. Don't expect Nicklaus and Woods to talk about that. But this week, just by Tiger playing Jack's course, they'll understand each other.

Notes: Raymond Floyd, a four-time major champion and the 1982 Memorial winner, spoke at Wednesday's ceremony as the tournament's 2013 honoree. His voice cracked with emotion when speaking about the guidance his late wife, Maria, had given him through his life and career. She died of cancer in September. ...

Davis Love III was named a captain's assistant for the Presidents Cup that will be played at Muirfield Village in October. He joins Jay Haas, who had already been named an assistant by U.S. captain Fred Couples. ...

Robert Garrigus withdrew from the field Tuesday night and was replaced by first alternate Daniel Summerhays. Garrigus had the best reason for his exit. His wife went into labor and he flew home and reported on Twitter that he arrived in time to be there for the birth of his son, Andrew, at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Cavs, barring a trade, not only have the first overall pick in the draft, but also another first-rounder, at No. 19 overall.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have won three of the last five NBA draft lotteries they've been in.

They won it two years ago and made Duke point guard Kyrie Irving the No. 1 overall pick. With their lottery victory in 2003, they used the first pick to take forward LeBron James of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

And, the Cavs finished first in the lottery last Thursday, giving them the first overall pick in the June 27 draft.

The Cavaliers own another first round selection, at No. 19 overall. They also hold the first and third picks, respectively, in the second round, at Nos. 31 and 33. The 19th pick originally belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers; the 31st originally belonged to the Orlando Magic.

Besides the selections of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, the Cavs twice have had the first pick in the draft.

In 1971, after having the NBA's worst record (15-67) in their first season as an expansion team, the Cavs picked guard Austin Carr, who, of course, is the commentator on Cavs' game telecasts, working with play-by-play man Fred McLeod.

In 1986, Cleveland traded forward Roy Hinson to the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 1 pick, and used it to take center Brad Daugherty.

Carr averaged between 20.5 and 21.9 points in each of his first three seasons (all in the era prior to the 3-point shot), and was scoring at about a 24-point clip when he injured a knee during the 21st game of the 1974-75 season. Though he remained a fine player through the rest of his Cavs career (through the 1979-80 season), he couldn't quite wreak havoc on opponents as he had prior to his injury.

The 1994-95 season was about two-thirds over when Daugherty suffered a back injury, and though he tried to get back on the court for another couple years, he was never able to play again. Daugherty had six full seasons in his eight-year career: he made first-team All-Rookie and in the five other years, was voted onto the All-Star Game roster by the Eastern Conference coaches.

Now that the lottery is over and there's no question as to when teams will draft, the mock drafts can pinpoint where they think players will go.

(Cleveland.com NBA mock draft by Chris Fedor)

For the Cavaliers at No. 1, the majority of mock drafters predict the pick will be Kentucky center Nerlens Noel, currently recovering from knee surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee after playing 24 games for the Wildcats last season as a freshman.

Kansas guard Ben McLemore and Georgetown small forward Otto Porter Jr. are also tabbed as the first pick by the Cavs.

What the Cavaliers do with their second first-round pick, at No. 19, will be determined by factors in and out of their control, such as: who do the Cavs take with the first pick?; will they make a trade; who will the second through 18th overall draft picks be?

Most mock drafts that say Cleveland will make Nerlens Noel the first pick anticipate that their second first-round selection, at 19, will be a guard or small forward.

Among the players mentioned in that slot as potential Cavs are Georgia shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and small forward Sergey Karasev of Russia.

A mock draft by Sports Illustrated has the Cavaliers taking Noel first and Caldwell-Pope with the 19th overall pick.

Its comment on Caldwell-Pope:

The Cavs badly need another perimeter scorer. Caldwell-Pope made huge strides as a sophomore, surging up a few teams' draft boards late in the season. The Cavs drafted Dion Waiters at shooting guard last year, but Caldwell-Pope is probably the best player on the board here and they can't pass that up.

The mock draft by The Hoop Doctors predicts the Cavaliers picks at No. 1 and No. 19, respectively, will be Noel and Karasev.

TheHoopDoctors.com on Karasev:

Still only 19 years of age, Karasev had a breakout season in Russia and projects as an elite shooting SF with tremendous potential. Some see him as a smaller version of Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, but that’s probably a stretch. Cleveland can definitely use another shooter as part of their young core, but Karasev may remain in Europe another season to work on his frame.

More NBA mock draft links

* NBA Draft Room

* FoxSportsOhio.com

* WalterFootball.com

* 

Rotoworld.com

* Drafttek.com

* NBADraft.net

* DraftExpress.com

* Talkin Hoopz (just the first 14 picks)

Video: A DraftExpress scouting report video on Kentucky center Nerlens Noel:

Video: A DraftExpress scouting report video on Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore:

Video: A DraftExpress scouting report video on Georgetown small forward Otto Porter:

Video: Fox Sports highlights the play of center Nerlens Noel last season for Kentucky:

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio -- Rare is the field that will toe the line for the boys 1,600-meter run Friday at the Austintown-Fitch Division I regional. Next year, it'll be old news, but still, maybe even more rare.

Solon junior Kevin Blank, front, is one of the four young runners who highlight a fast field for the 1,600 meters at the Division I Austintown-Fitch regional Friday. - (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio -- Rare is the field that will toe the line for the boys 1,600-meter run Friday at the Austintown-Fitch Division I regional.

Next year, it'll be old news, but still, maybe even more rare.

Hudson's Kyle Mau, Twinsburg's Garrett Crichlow, Solon's Kevin Blank and Boardman's Mark Hadley have all run sub-4:15 times this season, making the event one of the most highly anticipated of regional weekend.

They all could be back next year. Mau is a sophomore, and the other three are juniors. Mau's season-best time of 4:11.35 is No. 2 in the state, according to milesplit.com, and he ran that against Hadley and Crichlow at the Austintown-Fitch Optimist Meet on May 4. Hadley ran a 4:13 that day and a 4:12.65 in April.

Crichlow (4:13.57) and Blank (4:14.56) are coming off season-best times at last week's district meets.

They make up four of the state's top five in Division I. Westerville North's Jacob Dumford is No. 1 at 4:08.04.

The top four advance to state, and if one of the above falters at Fitch, the field has plenty of depth with the likes of Mentor's Jeff Gudowicz, Kenston's Owen Norely and Stow's Vince Horning.

"We're looking at it in terms of incremental steps to state,'' Hudson coach Dave Caplin said. "If the 4:11 (Mau) ran here at the Optimist is what it takes, then that's fine. But if he can comfortably qualify for state without going all out, then the prudent plan is to save a little bit for the big meet.''

Caplin admits holding Mau back isn't easy.

"He is the most tenacious competitor I've ever seen,'' Caplin said.

Mau ran a 4:18 indoors this year and was nowhere near that last year, but his quick development hardly comes as a surprise. His father, Bob, was a state track and cross country champion at Rocky River, an All-American at Northwestern, and still holds the Division I/Class AAA state cross country record (14:58.6).

The Fitch 1,600 field doesn't include Chardon junior Nicholas Elswick, who is concentrating on the 3,200.

"Maybe next year,'' he said, smiling. "We'll have to see.''

Problem solved: In the end, Jamie Fleming said the problem solved itself.

As Midpark's pole vault coach, he and coach Rick Mack had to pick two of his three top-ranked vaulters to compete at the district meet last week. Ohio caps the number of athletes per event at two per school.

Midpark featured Aaron Owens, who had cleared a state-leading 16-3, as well as Branson Repasy and Jerry Hopkins, who both cleared 15-0 and were ranked among the top five in the state. All three are seniors.

Owens, the 2012 state runner-up, was an obvious choice.

Repasy received the second berth.

"It kind of worked itself out at the conference meet,'' Fleming said. "I hadn't made a decision yet. He (Hopkins) didn't have the best performance, and Branson ended up going 15-0 again, and he did it more than Jerry this year.

"Jerry also has the opportunities to qualify for the state meet in the long jump.''

Owens (16-0) and Repasy (14-6) finished 1-2 at the Amherst district meet and qualified for the Amherst regional. Hopkins was third in the long jump and also advanced.

All three were scheduled to compete Wednesday at the Amherst regional.

Time drop: Padua senior Vinnie Minosky ran personal-bests in both the prelims (38.75) and the finals (38.25) of the 300 hurdles at the Perry district last week. The latter time is ranked No. 1 in Division II, according to milesplit.com.

"I felt like I had a lot more in me in the end. My form was a lot better. That's what did it for me,'' he said. "I want to get a better time every single race. My goal is to be in the 37s. That's what it's going to take (at state).''

One to watch: Despite coming off a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament suffered during football season and placing fourth (49-9 ¾) at the Mentor Division I district last week, Harvey shot putter Reggie Browley stood out among the field. He's a 6-7, 315-pound sophomore with quick feet. His personal best is 52-0.

"After the first flight, my knee was sore and dead. I can't get too much explosion,'' he said.

Browley, a left tackle, said he has been invited to football camps at Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Toledo and Kent State.

Bottoms on top of it: Benedictine sprinter Chaz Bottoms won the 400, was second in the 200 and qualified in the 4x200 despite struggling with asthma throughout the Perry district finals.

"I felt pretty sick,'' he said. "It was really flaring up, but I tried to do my best.''

Happy Hawks: Hawken produced a pair of unusual Division II regional qualifiers. Adam Berry made it out in the 3,200, 1,600, 4x800 – and the pole vault.

"It was kind of a surprise because I stopped the pole vault half-way through the season, then about two meets ago we really didn't have any pole vaulters ahead of me, and my coach said, 'Go get some points,'" Berry said.

Aric Floyd advanced in the 4x200 and 4x800 despite missing part of the season participating in a national science and engineering competition as well as a Shakespeare festival.

"We try to make it work, and he's a dedicated kid,'' coach Chris Farroni said.