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Terry Francona and Corey Kluber talk about the Tribe's 5-0 loss to the Blue Jays (video)

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Corey Kluber and Terry Francona talk about Saturday's loss and why this season has been so frustrating for the Tribe so far.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians fell to the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-0, Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field. The Blue Jays have won the first two games of this series in Cleveland.


Corey Kluber took the loss as he pitched 6.2 innings, giving up nine hits and four earned runs. He falls to 1-2 on the season.


The Indians were silenced today by lefty Mark Buehrle, who threw seven shutout innings, only allowing four hits. He improved to 4-0 on the season, including lowering his ERA to 0.64.


Kluber and Terry Francona talk about Saturday's loss and why this season has been so frustrating for the Tribe so far.


For more Cleveland Indians coverage, head over to cleveland.com/tribe.

Cleveland Indians quietly fall to Toronto Blue Jays: DMan's Report, Game 17, Saturday

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The Indians managed four hits -- all singles -- in a 5-0 loss to Toronto on Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Blue Jays in the second of a three-game series Saturday at Progressive Field. Here is a capsule look from Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff:

Game: 17.

Opponent: Blue Jays.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

Time of day: Afternoon.

Result: Blue Jays 5, Indians 0.

Records: Blue Jays 10-8, Indians 7-10.

Sleepy time: Yes, the Indians faced a pitcher, lefty Mark Buehrle, who is on a serious roll. Good starters will make any team seem sluggish. But the Indians had the look Saturday -- and on other days since March 31 -- of a team playing #zombiebaseball. The Indians, with much of the same personnel, periodically played #zombiebaseball last season and managed to finish with 92 victories. So it is too early to draw conclusions but not too early for the faithful to grind some teeth.

The Indians are 3-5 at home, all games having come against projected non-contenders.

Masterful: Buehrle allowed four hits -- all singles -- walked three and struck out three in seven largely stress-free innings. He improved to 4-0 with a 0.64 ERA in four starts. He and former Cleveland spring-training invitee Aaron Harang are among the hottest pitchers in baseball. Harang is 3-1 with a 0.70 ERA in four starts for the Braves.

Wrong left turns: The Indians continue to struggle with left-handed starters, especially the finesse ones. Here are the lines of lefty starters against the Indians:

• Scott Kazmir, Oakland (W): 7.1 IP, 3 H, 5 K.

• Eric Stults, San Diego (L): 5.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, K.

• Robbie Erlin, San Diego (W): 6.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K.

• John Danks, White Sox (W): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

• Chris Sale, White Sox (W): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

• Jose Quintana, White Sox (ND): 6.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

* Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays (W): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 BB 3 K.

Totals: 43 IP, 33 H, 11 BB, 9 ER, 30 K (5-1, 1.88 ERA).

Nothing doing: The Indians went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and are 0-for-14 in the series. Buehrle has not allowed a hit with RISP this season (0-for-26).

Trouble up front: The game lasted nine innings, but it effectively ended after one. Toronto scored twice thanks to a combination of their hitting and the Tribe's failure to make plays.

With one out, Melky Cabrera crushed a 2-1 fastball to right-center. It didn't get out, but it did hit the base of the wall for a triple. That one was on righty Corey Kluber -- to a point. Cabrera routinely causes problems for the Indians and was coming off a 4-for-5 in the series opener Friday.

The Melk Man finished 2-for-5 and is hitting .337. He did strike out in his last two trips, so there's that.

The Indians shifted toward left against right-handed slugger Jose Bautista. Nothing wrong with shifting against Bautista -- until he pops to shallow right. What would have been a fairly routine play for second baseman Jason Kipnis in a straight-up defense ended with first baseman Nick Swisher turning and twisting and failing to make the over-the-head catch. Kipnis, shaded up the middle, had too much ground to cover.

Bautista's gift single amounted to a bad break for Kluber and the Indians.

With Edwin Encarnacion batting, Tribe catcher Yan Gomes whiffed on a fastball for a passed ball, pushing Bautista to second. Gomes continues to be mystifyingly subpar as a receiver this season.

Bautsta went to third on a grounder and scored when Dioner Navarro's grounder kicked up late and ate up Swisher. Score it an RBI single.

The Indians did not commit an error in the first, but one of the runs was unearned because of the passed ball. The other run didn't have the feeling of being "earned'' against Kluber.

First things first: The Blue Jays improved to 9-1 when scoring first.

Piling on: Toronto led, 3-0, entering the seventh. Kluber was one out from his third consecutive quality start when Navarro dumped a two-out, two-run single into left-center. Lefty Marc Rzepczynski relieved.

Uneven day: Kluber pitched better than his line -- 6.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K -- but he didn't have his best stuff or command. He got burned by a hitter, Navarro, who, even though he has 12 RBI, can't be the one in that lineup doing the heavy lifting.

Kluber also hurt himself with a leadoff walk to Brett Lawrie in the second. Lawrie entered with a .138 average and .174 on-base percentage. He eventually scored on Jose Reyes's two-out single. The walk was Kluber's first since the third inning of his first start, April 2 at Oakland. In his two starts after that loss to the Athletics, Kluber worked a combined 13 1/3 innings without a walk.

Picking his spots: Buehrle, who faced the Indians plenty of times (with mixed results) while pitching for the White Sox from 2000-11, changes speeds and eye levels. But just because he is a finesse pitcher doesn't necessarily mean he's a strike thrower. Of his 107 pitches, 49 were balls. He threw just 13 of 27 first-pitch strikes.

In a hitter's count, Buehrle would rather throw his pitch off the plate and have it be called a ball than to give in. When a strike needs to be thrown, it isn't going to be over the middle and usually has some wrinkle to it. Buehrle banks on the hitter becoming impatient and anxious and getting himself out, which happened time and again Saturday.

The Indians had all sorts of problems with Buehrle's change-up. With runners on first and second and one out in the first, Carlos Santana stepped in. Buehrle threw a 1-1 change on the outer half that Santana grounded to short for a 6-4-3 double play. It was Santana's seventh GIDP. With a runner on first and one out in the fifth, Asdrubal Cabrera rolled over a 2-2 change and grounded into a 5-4-3 double play -- the Tribe's 18th.

Buehrle benefited, no question, from plate umpire Dale Scott's willingness to call the high strike. Ultimately, though, it is on the Tribe hitters to adjust.

Rogers Centre: Buehrle carried a three-hit shutout into the eighth. David Murphy led off with a single to left. Mike Aviles walked. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons summoned former Indians righty Esmil Rogers.

Cabrera took a ball, then swung and missed three straight times. Rogers got the punchout with a pitch that nearly hit Cabrera in the back leg. On Friday, Swisher struck out swinging at a pitch that did, in fact, hit him.

Rogers fell behind Swisher, 2-0. Swisher took a slurve for a strike, took another slurve for a strike and swung through a slurve for the strikeout. Swisher finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and is hitting .174 and slugging .275.

Kipnis flied to center on a full-count pitch to end the inning.

Rogers helped keep Buehrle's streak alive of no runs allowed after the second inning. Buehrle has given up two this season -- one in the first and one in the second.

Rogers struck out two in the ninth, the only blemish a two-out walk to Michael Brantley.

On Nov. 3, 2012, the Indians sent Rogers to Toronto for Gomes and Aviles. It was a fruitful trade for Cleveland. On Saturday, though, Rogers enjoyed himself at the Tribe's expense.

Defense up the middle: Buehrle, always good with the glove, handled four comebackers. Each featured a different level of difficulty. The best came with one out in the fourth, when he reached down to grab a sharply hit grounder by Brantley. It was yet another good swing for Brantley that resulted in an out.

Cleveland Indians refuse to make excuses for sloppy, sluggish start: Zack Meisel's musings

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Through 17 games, the Indians are 7-10, the same mark they recorded at this juncture a year ago. That team tumbled even further to 8-13 before righting the ship.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Through 17 games, the Indians are 7-10, the same mark they recorded at this juncture a year ago. That team tumbled even further to 8-13 before righting the ship.

Will this team turn it around? It's mighty early.

Here are five observations from chilly Progressive Field.

1. No excuses: Nick Swisher wouldn't cave. He could have pointed to the weather, opposing pitchers or injuries for an explanation as to why the bats have been frequently silenced this month. Granted, the opposition can claim the same excuses.

Swisher, though, refused to give in.

"We're a no-excuse type of squad," Swisher said. "If we're not getting it done, we're not getting it done. … Sometimes you have rough starts to the year. We have to pull together as a squad and as a unit and figure this thing out."

2. Eyesores: The Indians have gone 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position in the first two contests against the Blue Jays. They have stranded 19 runners.

This season, the Indians are batting .208 (32-for-154) with runners in scoring position. Cleveland entered Saturday's action with 16 errors, tied for the most in the American League.

It hasn't been a pretty start through the season's first three weeks, and when asked about the state of the team, right-hander Corey Kluber touched on shortcomings in every facet of the game. No one is safe from criticism at this point.

3. Another day: Manager Terry Francona often stresses how no game aside from the one that day holds any significance. Swisher preached as much following Saturday's loss, in which the Indians mustered only four hits and didn't push a runner past second base.

"This team fights. We grind and we fight," Swisher said. "Sometimes it doesn't work out for us. Today, [four] hits on the day. Not exactly what we wanted. But hey, no big deal. We're going to come back and grind it out tomorrow. Lace them up and tomorrow -- [that's] all we're worried about.

"We can't win seven in a row. We have to start off by winning one."

4. Roster move coming: The Indians plan to activate Jason Giambi from the disabled list on Monday. The original blueprint called for the designated hitter to return Sunday, according to Francona.

So why push it back a day? Francona contended that the team wanted an extra day with an eight-man bullpen. It makes sense. Carlos Carrasco will toe the rubber for the Tribe on Sunday. The right-hander has averaged five innings per start this season.

The reasoning for the delay in Giambi's return likely means a reliever will be sent to Triple-A Columbus to create an open roster spot. Giambi's lack of defensive ability -- the 43-year-old hasn't played in the field since July 1, 2012 -- could force Francona to carry four bench players instead of three.

5. Avoiding a fiasco: Carrasco will be tasked with halting the stretch of seven defeats in nine games. He hasn't taken the hill since April 11, when he surrendered five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings.

An off-day on Monday and a postponement on Tuesday allowed the Indians to push Carrasco back a few days. Francona said he has pitched well in bullpen sessions. The Indians, though, continue to wait for the results to transpire during an actual game.

"He's built to log innings," Francona said. "We just have to get him to points of the game where he believes that he can do it. We're trying."


Four-star safety Ben Edwards flips his commitment from Ohio State to Auburn: Buckeyes recruiting

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Florida safety Ben Edwards flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Auburn on Saturday after visiting for Auburn's spring game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State lost one of its three oral commitments in the 2015 recruiting class on Saturday night when four-star safety Ben Edwards of Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian flipped from the Buckeyes to Auburn.

Rated by Rivals.com the No. 6 safety in the 2015 class, Edwards was on a visit to Auburn for the Tigers' spring game when he decided to flip his commitment.

Ohio State's two remaining commitments in the class are three-star cornerback Jamel Dean of Cocoa, Fla., and four-star running back Eric Glover-Williams of Canton McKinley.

Edwards initially committed to Ohio State in early February, saying of the Buckeyes: "I have just felt more comfortable with them than anyone else. They have been recruiting me harder than any other school, and that meant a lot. I just can't wait to get up there." 

Four-star QB Kai Locksley indicated communication with Ohio State was lacking, but Buckeyes make his top 10: Buckeyes recruiting

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Locksley released his top 10 on Saturday, and Ohio State was listed with Auburn, Miami (Fla.), Virginia Tech, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, Mississippi, Florida State and Baylor.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State seemed to be trending downward in the recruitment of four-star quarterback prospect Kai Locksley of Baltimore (Md.) Gilman, but the Buckeyes made his most recent cut.

Though Locksley told Cleveland.com in a recent interview that communication had been lacking with Ohio State - which seemed to indicate the two parties were veering into separate directions - the Buckeyes remain alive. 

Locksley released his top 10 on Saturday, and Ohio State was listed with Auburn, Miami (Fla.), Virginia Tech, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, Mississippi, Florida State and Baylor. 

Rated by Rivals.com a four-star prospect and the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback in the class, Locksley also has offers from Alabama, Michigan State, Tennessee and others.

Locksley has been on Meyer's radar for nearly a decade, dating back to when Meyer first took the Florida job and tried to retain the quarterback's father, Mike Locksley, on his Gators coaching staff. 

Mike Locksley now is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Maryland, another program that made the quarterback's top 10. 




Steele Wasik leads St. Edward track to Mehock Relays title; Solon wins girls title

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Steele Wasik wins two hurdle events and finishes second in long jump and high jump at Mehock Relays.

MANSFIELD, Ohio - Steele Wasik of St. Edward didn’t three-peat Saturday as the high jump champion at the Mansfield Mehock Relays but he’s not complaining.

Wasik earned first-place finishes in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles to go along with second-place finishes in the high jump and long jump as St. Edward won its third consecutive Mehock Relays.

The Eagles racked up 81 points in besting second-place Glenville (50) and Dayton Dunbar (39), which finished third.

The Solon girls, the defending state champion in Division I, won the girls title. Gahanna Lincoln (77) finished second and Chardon (52) finished tied for third with Warren G. Harding.

UCLA signee Jelvon Butler led the way for Solon. She finished third in the 100 (12.65 seconds) and second in the 200 (25.05). She also ran on the Comets' 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams, which both earned first place finishes.

Wasik, who also will continue his track career at UCLA next year, stole the show on the boys side, though.

A year ago Wasik finished second in the 300 hurdles and fell during the 110 hurdles, so he looked at his performance as a “bit of a redemption,” he said.

“I’m the hurdle guy so it’s good,” he said.

Wasik ran a 14.19 to win the 110 hurdles as he nipped Glenville’s Davon Anderson (14.66).

Wasik called that race his most impressive.

“The rivalry between me and Anderson has really been blown up. Today we raced on equal terms. We both had other events to do and were both tired. I was happy with my time. It was a relaxed race, a clean race so I’d have to go with that,” Wasik said.

Wasik ran a 38.69 in the 300 hurdles to edge Frank Douglas (38.80) of Madison Comprehensive. Wasik turned on the jets over the final 25 meters to nip Douglas at the finish.

“It was kind of the last push, who had a little bit more, and I think with all the 400s I ran indoor and ran outdoor I had enough to press it for that last five meters,” Wasik said.

Eagles assistant coach Mike Young said Wasik’s performance was to be expected.

“Steele is Steele. The joke with Steele is he’s the man of steel. It’s always funny to watch him run back and forth from the high jump down to the hurdle finals over to the long jump and back to the high jump. He’s a great kid; good attitude and strong of character,” Young said. “That allows him to pull things like this off.”

Wasik finished second in the long jump with an effort of 21 feet, 4 inches. His teammate Shaun Crawford won the event with a jump of 22-07(3/4).

Crawford was involved in the race of the day. The Eagle junior finished second in the 100 meters by .006 to David Hatchett of Westerville Central. Crawford was timed at 11.129 while Hatchett clocked in at 11.123.

The Solon girls won the distance medley relay, setting a new meet record in the process. The team of Louiza Wise, Sam Mitchell, Julia Haiss and Gevenva Sandridge ran a 13:08.09 to break the old record of 13:09.94 set by Sylvania Northview a year ago.

“We weren’t sure if we were the favorite. We were just hoping that we would run our best and encourage each other as much as we could,” said Sandridge, who ran anchor on the relay.

The race features a 1,200-meter leg; a 400-meter leg, an 800-meter leg and is capped off by a 1,600-meter run.

“It’s amazing,” Sandridge said of setting a new meet record. “We had no idea until our coach told us. We know the meet's been going on for 80-something years and we were shocked (to set the record).”

In the field, the Comets’ Elizabeth Obi won the high jump with a jump of 5-2.

Obi said preparing mentally for the meet was key.

“We knew it was going to be a good competition. It’s an hour-and-a-half away. We really had to be prepared,” Obi said.

Solon’s girls picked up valuable points in the field events as Alexis Gray won the both the shot put at 42-01(1/2) and the discus (144-03).

“Alexis Gray had an awesome day,” Solon coach Brian Sabol said.

Sabol wasn’t sure how his team would perform entering the meet.

“I didn’t know how this was going to turn out. We knew we were going to have our hands full with Gahanna Lincoln, New Albany and Chardon. I was excited with how the girls performed today,” said Sabol.

Stephanie Ferrante of Chardon had a day for the ages. The senior won the 100 (12.59), 200 (24.63), 400 (57.10) and also ran on Chardon’s first-place 4x400 relay team.

Although Solon’s boys team did not attend the meet, standout distance runner Kevin Blank did. The trip turned out to be well worth it for the senior, who won the one-mile race with a time of 4:15.03. Blank finished third overall at the state meet a year ago.

Blank stayed close to Twinsburg’s Garrett Crichlow, who won the same race a year ago, for most of the race before kicking it into high gear with 800 meters remaining.

“I decided to make an earlier move and push the pace and Garrett responded and pushed the pace even more. I’m glad we were going at it today. It definitely helped me get the fast time.”

Blank credited his team’s training program in part for helping get the win.

“We’ve been doing some shorter interval things lately and I think I saw that in the last lap because I finished pretty well. I’m glad I could find a good field to race against,” Blank said.

Toby Hardwick (4:16.61) of Newark finished second in the mile. Ryan Adams (4:17.24) of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy was third; Chardon’s Nicholas Elswick (4:17.98) finished fourth and Crichlow (4:19.38) was fifth.

Glenville’s boys won relay titles in the 4x100, 4x200 and the 4x400.

Nicole Rozsa of Cuyahoga Falls finished first in the pole vault with a vault of 10-6.

“I know I have a lot things to improve on and I can do a lot better. Last week I jumped 11-8 and my PR is 11-9. I kind of had an off day,” said Rozsa, who finished second at the meet a year ago.

MANSFIELD MEHOCK RELAYS

Boys

How they finished:  1. St. Edward (81); 2. Glenville (50); 3. Day. Dunbar (39); 4. Medina (37); 5. Mas. Jackson (31); 6. Grand Blan (29); 7. CVCA (24); 8. Westerville Central (24); 9. Fr. Ross (20); 10. Chardon (19.50)

100: 1. Hatchett (WC) 11.13; Crawford (SE) 11:13; 3. Boyd (Dun) 11.19; 110 hurdles: Wasik (SE) 14.19; 2. Anderson (Gl) 14.66; 3. Douglas (Mad); 14.67; 200: 1. Boyd (Dun) 21.83; 2. Hatchett (WC) 22.14; 3. Crawford (SE); Distance Medley: 1. Grand Blanc 11:04.94; 2 Dunbar, 11:04.99; 3. Willard, 11:15.79; Mile run: 1. Blank (Sol) 4:15.03; 2. Hardwick (New) 4:16.61; 3. Adams (CVCA) 4:17.24; 4x800: 1. New Albany, 8:16.58; 2. Mas. Jack. 8:16.66; 3. CVCA, 8:19.32; 4x200: 1. Glen, 1:28.74; 2. Dun, 1:30.97; 3. JA, 1:31.33; 4x100: 1. Glen 42.88; 2. JA, 42.91; 3. West.Cen. 43.29; 400: 1. Lett (Glen) 49.72; 2. Gauthier (Grand Blanc) 50.05; 3. Woods (Rho) 51.67; 300 hurdles: 1. Wasik (SE) 38.69; 2. Douglas (Mad) 38.80; 3. Carroscia (CVCA) 38.99; 800: 1.O’Connor (Croswell) 1:57.54; 2. Elswick (Char) 1:59.54; 3. Sopchak (Char) 1:59.36; 3,200: 1. Clifford (MJ) 9:49.85; 2. Cortelletti (Ont) 9:51.02; 3. Murdock (SCD) 9:54.87; 4x400: 1. Glen, 3:25.25; 2. CCC, 3:28.54; 3. Grand Blanc, 3:29.02; Pole Vault: 1. Martin, (CalRV) 14-06; 2. Hutchinson (Med) 14-0; 3. Szychowski (Whit) 14-0; Long jump: 1. Crawford (SE) 22-07(3/4); 2. Wasik (SE) 21-04; 3. Barnett (FR) 20-01(1/2). High jump: 1. Stine (Shel) 6-06; 2. Wasik (SE) 6-04; 3. Stenger (Med) 6-02. Shot put: 1. Hierholzer (Med) 56-07(1/2); 2. Zedella (SE) 54.01; 3. Daniels (WH) 53-11; Discus: 1. Ballenger (FR) 165-09; 2. Hierholzer (Med) 160-03; 3. Peters (Euc) 157-05.

Girls

How they finished: 1. Solon (107); 2. Gah. Linc (77); 3. WarHard (52); 3. Chardon (52); 5. Medina (41.5); 6. New Albany (26); 7. Beumont (23); 8. Cal. River Val (22); 9. Cuy. Falls (20); 10. Ashland (18)

100: 1. Ferrante (Char) 12.59; 2. Richardson (WH) 12.57; 3. Butler (Sol) 12.65. 100 hurdles: Jackson (WH) 15.04; 2. Daniels (GL) 15.34; 3. Collier (WS); 200: 1.Ferrante (Char) 24.63; 2. Butler (Sol) 25.05; 3. Richardson (WH); Distance Medley: 1. Solon 13:08.09; 2. Tol. ND 13:14.91; 3. Shaker 13:30.97; 4x800: 1. New Albany, 9:51.75; 2. G.Lin., 9:53.90; 3. Galion, 10:18.58; 4x200: 1. Solon, 1:43.02; 2. G. Linc. 1:43.34; 3. WH. 9:47.27; 1,600: 1. Bockoven (CVCA) 5:05.84; 2. Campbell (CRV) 5:16.16: 3. Masquelier (Gre) 5:25.39: 4x100: 1. Solon, 49:43; 2. Gah. Lin. 49:83; 3. Beau. 50.55; 400: 1. Ferrante (Char) 57.10; 2. Shaw (Gah. Lin) 59.66; 3. Bartram (Beau) 1:00.50. 300 hurdles: 1. Jackson (WH) 45.66; 2. Brown (WS) 47.10; 3. Stokes (GL) 48.28; 800: Banks (Char) 2:17.01; 2. Pack (Med) 2:18.88; 3. Bockoven (CVCA) 2:20.17; 3,200: 1. Campbell (Cal.RV) 11:02.13; 2, Sandlin (GL) 11:02.82; 3. Scavuzzo (Med) 11:18.12; 4x400: 1. Chardon, 4:03.71; 2. Gah. Linc. 4:04.27; 3. Beau. 4:09.83; Pole Vault: 1. Rozsa (CF) 10-06; 2. Roth (Sol) 10-06; 3. Piccou (GL) 10-0; Long jump: 1. Acevedo (Med) 17-0; 2. Richardson (WH) 16-04; 3. White (NA) 16-03.5; High jump: 1. Obi (Sol) 5-02; 2. Robinson (Ash) 5-02; 3. Graham (Sol) 5-02; Shot put: 1. Gray (Sol) 42-01 (1/2); 2. Tennant (Smith) 40-06(1/4); 3. Ziccardi (CFalls) 37-01; Discus: 1. Gray (Sol) 144-03; 2. Tennant (Smith) 139-04; 3. Mansperger (Ash) 126-10.

 

 

 

Lake Erie Monsters wrap season with 4-3 shootout victory over Grand Rapids Griffins

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In their seventh AHL season, the Monsters averaged 8,144 fans for 38 dates at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --

lake erie monsters logo
The Monsters ended their season with two impressive performances against the defending Calder Cup champions.

The Monsters completed a home-and-home sweep of the Grand Rapids Griffins with a 4-3 shootout victory on Saturday night in front of 14,064 fans at The Q. On Friday night in Grand Rapids, Mich., they won, 4-2.

The Monsters (32-33-1-10) failed to qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs for the sixth time in their seven seasons of existence, but they continued to draw well. Their total attendance was 309,472 over 38 dates, for an average of 8,144. They will finish in the top four in the AHL in attendance.

Grand Rapids (46-23-2-5) entered the weekend with a higher playoff seeding at stake.

Lake Erie won the five-round shootout, 2-1. J.T. Wyman and Brett Clark converted for the hosts; Clark's shot rolled off goalie Tom McCollum's back and across the line. Monsters goalie Calvin Pickard played well at the other end.

The Monsters went 8-10 in shootouts this season.

The Monsters opened the scoring at 5:18 of the second period. Center Mitchell Heard controlled the puck in his end, zoomed up the right side and beat McCollum from the right circle for his fourth. Heard's laser went short-side over McCollum's glove. Lake Erie winger Guillaume Desbiens kept the Grand Rapids defense honest by driving the net from the far side.

The Griffins answered at 6:27, Andreas Athanasiou's one-timer from low in the right circle beating Pickard. Grand Rapids made several crisp passes and Athanasiou had a superb shot.

One minute later, Athanasiou darted in from the right circle and pressured Pickard. Athanasiou was knocked off the puck by Daniel Maggio in front of Pickard, but Grand Rapids center Andrej Nestrasil gathered the loose change and attempted to jam it in.

Pickard thought he had rejected the shot with his stick, but the officials were not sure. After a protracted delay, the officials saw enough video to conclude that a goal had been scored to give Grand Rapids a 2-1 advantage.

Pickard watched the replays on the arena TV above the ice. He grabbed his helmet with both hands in disbelief, then slammed his stick.

The Monsters tied the score, 2-2, at 18:49. Troy Bourke created a play behind the cage and fed winger David van der Gulik, who beat McCollum from the crease for his 13th. van der Gulik simply was too quick for the Griffin trying to check him.

Lake Erie pulled ahead, 3-2, early in the third. Maggio's shot from the point deflected off a Griffin and onto the stick of Bourke, who wasted no time in notching his third.

Grand Rapids made it 3-3 at 6:46 when defenseman Ryan Sproul sent a shot through traffic and bagged his 11th.

Midway through the third, Grand Rapids penalties gave Lake Erie a 5-on-3 for 93 seconds. The Monsters failed to convert the 5-on-3 or the remaining seconds of the man-advantage.

McCollum made two terrific saves in the final minute of regulation.

Pickard made 11 saves in the first period. He played a significant role in the Monsters killing two penalties.

Lake Erie's best chance in the first occurred at 12:27. Michael Sgarbossa moved into the slot uncontested and fired the puck past McCollum and off the left post. Fans thought Sgarbossa had scored, but several Griffins smothered the puck in front of the line.

Cleveland Gladiators throw 29-yard TD pass as time expires to stun Spokane Shock, 52-50

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The Gladiators are 5-0 after an amazing victory in Spokane, Wash. Next on the schedule is the Pittsburgh Power on Saturday at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --

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The Gladiators had it all the way.

OK, maybe not. But it counts just the same.

Backup quarterback Chris Dieker threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Thyron Lewis as time expired as the Gladiators stunned the Spokane Shock, 52-50, Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wash.

The Gladiators are 5-0 overall, 4-0 on the road. Their next game is against the Pittsburgh Power this coming Saturday night at The Q.

The Shock (3-2) had taken a 50-46 lead with 13 seconds left when quarterback Erik Meyer threw a touchdown pass to Hank Edwards.

After a kickoff return got the ball to the Cleveland 8 with four seconds remaining, Dieker completed a quick pass to Dominick Goodman for 13 yards. The clock stopped with 1.8 seconds left. Dieker dropped back and heaved the ball deliberately off the net on the right side. Lewis cleanly grabbed the carom and the crowd went silent.

Spokane opened the second half with the ball and a 28-17 lead. Meyer, so sharp in the first half, was intercepted in Shock territory by Gladiators defensive back Joe Phinisee.

Two plays later, Gladiators starting quarterback Shane Austin threw a short touchdown pass to Goodman. A delay of game pushed the extra-point attempt back, and Aaron Pettrey missed it.

On the ensuing kickoff return, Spokane appeared to fumble and lose possession to Cleveland, but it wasn't called as such. Gladiators coach Steve Thonn's challenge paid off in a reversal.

The Gladiators quickly capitalized, Austin scoring on a sneak for a 29-28 lead. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

Spokane made it three straight turnovers when Meyer was picked by Marrio Norman at the 25. Norman pitched to Phinisee, who took it to the house. Pettrey's extra point gave Cleveland a 36-28 advantage.

Spokane finally righted itself long enough to score a touchdown. The extra point cut the Shock's deficit to 36-35 with 4:42 left in the third.

The Gladiators carried the one-point lead into the fourth quarter. They moved inside the Spokane 10 but Austin threw an interception at the 1 with 12:22 left. Austin's defense picked him up, forcing a Spokane turnover on downs inside the Gladiators 10.

Austin redeemed himself with a long TD pass to Lewis. Pettrey's kick made it 43-35 with 6:50 remaining.

Spokane answered with a touchdown and two-point pass to tie the score, 43-43, with 4:48 left.

When the Gladiators got the ball back, Dieker was their quarterback. Dieker had begun the season as Thonn's No. 1 but lost the job to Austin by Week 4.

Dieker converted a fourth-and-1 outside the Spokane 7 with a sneak. The possession stalled, though. Former Buckeye Pettrey kicked a field goal for a 46-43 lead with 43.2 seconds left.

Then Meyer found Edwards, and all appeared lost for Cleveland. Except it wasn't.

Meyer went 14-of-17 for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He also rushed for two TDs. Austin was 11-of-21 for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once -- his first of the season.

The Gladiators missed a long field-goal attempt as time expired in the half.

Austin, the reigning AFL player of the week, entered Saturday at 56-of-87 for 684 yards and 14 TDs. He led the league's quarterbacks in rating (128.07).


Cleveland Indians made right call with Aaron Harang: Paul Hoynes' rant of week

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Aaron Harang is off to a great start with Atlanta after he spent most of spring training with the Indians only to be told he wouldn't make the final 25-man roster.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Did the Indians make a mistake by not keeping Aaron Harang?

They signed the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal in February because they were worried about the health of Danny Salazar and the inconsistency of Carlos Carrasco. He pitched well and got a fair look, but in mid-March the Indians told him that he wasn’t going to make the 25-man club. A couple of days later Harang exercised an out clause in his contract and was granted his release.

Harang, upon leaving the Indians training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., let it be known that they’d regret the decision. Within hours Atlanta, stung by pitching injuries in spring training, signed him to a big league deal.

On Friday, Harang pitched seven hitless innings in a 6-0 victory over the Mets to improve to 3-1 with a 0.70 ERA. It was the second no-hit bid he took into the seventh inning this season.

The Indians’ rotation, meanwhile, has pitched poorly. They’ve thrown the third fewest innings in the AL ahead of Detroit and Baltimore, while the questions about Salazar and Carrasco have only grown.

Still, I don’t think the Indians should have kept Harang. He’ll be 36 in May and is a pure NL pitcher at this point in his career. Last year he went 5-11 with Seattle, his first taste of the AL since 2002.

If Harang made the Indians, Carrasco would have started in the bullpen with Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin opening at Class AAA Columbus. It was clear the Indians wanted to get one more look at Carrasco in the rotation and keep the pipeline unclogged between Columbus and Cleveland.

So far Carrasco (0-2 with a 7.84 ERA) hasn’t given the Indians much to see. He makes his third start of the season Sunday against the Toronto. If that doesn’t go well, Bauer is pitching well at Columbus and Harang is pitching even better in Atlanta.


Cleveland Indians On Deck: Game 18 vs. Toronto Blue Jays

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Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who has struggled in his two starts this season, will try to help the Indians avoid a sweep Sunday against the Blue Jays.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians play the Blue Jays in the finale of a three-game series Sunday.

Game: 18.

Opponent: Blue Jays.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

Scheduled first pitch: 1:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM/AM 1100, WMMS/FM 100.7.

Pitching matchup: Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 7.84 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RHP Brandon Morrow (1-1, 5.52).

Season series: Blue Jays lead, 2-0. (Indians won, 4-2, last season.)

Indians update: They are 7-10 overall, 3-5 at home. … Split a two-game series in Detroit on Wednesday and Thursday. Lost to Blue Jays, 3-2, Friday and 5-0 on Saturday. Indians are 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position against Toronto. ... 3B-C Carlos Santana is 3-for-40 in his last 10 games. ... Carrasco has pitched poorly in both of his starts. ... DH Jason Giambi, on the disabled list because of a right-rib injury, will be activated Monday.

Blue Jays update: They are 10-8 overall, 7-5 on road. ... SS Jose Reyes was activated from the disabled list Saturday and delivered an RBI single. It was his first game since Opening Day.

Injuries: Indians – DH Jason Giambi (right rib) is on disabled list. Blue Jays – 1B-DH Adam Lind (back) is day to day. INF Maicer Izturis and RHP Casey Janssen are on DL.

Next for Indians: Homestand continues with four games against Royals beginning Monday.

AL Central is all about survival of the warmest in April: MLB insider

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Here's a look at the AL Central and how its five teams have weather the storms of April.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – April really shouldn’t count in the AL Central.

How can players be worried about hittng off Chicago lefty Chris Sale when frostbite is their constant companion? The old saying that pennants aren’t won in April, but they can be lost carries no weight in the Central.

The Indians, Royals, White Sox, Twins and Tigers are just trying to seek shelter from the storm. The Indians have already lost three games to weather.

Maybe that’s why there’s so little separation between first and last place in the Central as the season heads into its third week. It’s hard to concentrate on putting a winning streak together when players are trying to find an extra pair of long johns to ward off another night of 24-degree wind chill.

With that in mind, and the hope for warmer days ahead, here’s a quick look at how the AL Central’s five teams have started the season.

Tigers:

The skinny: They’ve won the AL Central the last three years, but underwent big changes during the winter. They’ve still got two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera, but their vaunted rotation of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly has started slowly.

Newcomers: In the Tigers first 13 games, second baseman Ian Kinsler had eight multi-hit games. Closer Joe Nathan said last week he’s going through a “dead arm’ period.

Injuries: The loss of shortstop Jose Iglesias (leg fractures), outfielder Andy Dirks (back) and right-hander Bruce Rondon (right elbow) hurts the Tigers.

Streaks: The Tigers entered Saturday having lost six of their last 10 games.

Royals

The skinny: The Indians have played every team in the division except for the Royals, who visit Monday for a four-game series. They’re getting great pitching from the rotation, which entered the weekend at 6-3 with a 2.49 ERA. They’ve allowed two are fewer runs in 11 of 15 starts.

Newcomers: Jason Vargas is 2-0 with a 3.94 ERA. He’s made four quality starts, striking out 16 and walking six in 29 innings. Vargas will face Justin Masterson on Wednesday.

Injuries: Luke Hochevar’s right elbow injury in spring training was a blow to the bullpen. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain just went on the disabled list with a strained left groin.

Streaks: The Royals entered Saturday having won four straight and six of their last 10.

White Sox:

The skinny: They’re improved over last year’s 63-99 showing. Lefties Sale, Jose Quintana and John Danks are a combined 5-0 with a 2.62 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings. Shortstop Alexei Ramirez has hit in 17 straight games. The bullpen, with closer Nate Jones injured, is a concern.

Newcomers: Rookie Jose Abreu gives them a young power hitting in the middle of the lineup. Pitchers are starting to work him over now, but he still has 14 RBI and eight extra base hits, including four homers, in 17 games. Adam Eaton, nursing a sore hamstring, provides speed at the top of the order and is a good center fielder.

Injuries: The loss of outfielder Avisail Garcia for the year because of a left shoulder injury is a big blow.

Streaks: They’ve lost three straight entering Saturday.

Twins:

The skinny: They’re trying to rebound from a 96-loss season and rookie Chris Colabello is helping. Colabello, who played independent ball for seven years, is hitting .350 and leading the AL with 19 RBI and nine doubles. The last two years in the Twins minor league system, he hit 43 homers with 174 RBI.

Newcomers: They added starters Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes and re-signed Mike Pelfrey, but they’re still ranked last in ERA among AL rotations.

Injuries: Outfielders Josh Willingham and Oswaldo Arcia have wrist injuries.

Streaks: They’re 5-5 over the last 10 games entering Saturday.

Indians:

The skinny: They’re slogging through another unimpressive April. The rotation has been inconsistent, the defense terrible and the offense has struggled to get a big hit.

Newcomers: Closer John Axford is 5-for-6 in save situations. David Murphy ranks second on the club with 12 RBI.

Injuries: Center fielder Michael Bourn just came off the disabled list and Jason Giambi is scheduled to be activated Monday.

Streaks: They’ve lost seven of their last 11 games.

This week in baseball

There are three strikes in an out and three outs in every half inning. Here are two more sets of three to think about from last week in baseball. (All stats through Friday).

Three up

           

Prince Fielder is congratulated Tuesday after hitting his first home run as a member of the Texas Rangers.

1. Texas first baseman Prince Fielder broke a homerless streak of 109 at-bats, including last year's 40-at-bat postseason drought, Tuesday with a homer in his first at-bat against Seattle.

2. Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman has been cleared to throw batting practice after being hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Salvador Perez on March 19.

3. In Thursday's win over Tampa Bay, the Yankees turned their third triple play in four years – all with CC Sabathia on the mound.

Three down

1. The Indians' starting rotation has the second highest ERA in the AL at 5.00, while the defense leads the league with 16 errors.

2. Thursday's game between the Twins and Blue Jays, the first game of a day-night doubleheader, began in 31-degree weather – the coldest first-pitch start ever to a Twins' game played outdoors.

3. The Cubs were shut out in both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees for the first time since June 27, 1962 when the Cardinals did it to them.

Tribe talk

"That aggressiveness is never going to get away from me. Hopefully, I start throwing the balls to guys, not throwing them away," catcher Yan Gomes, who has made five errors in 16 games after making three in 88 last year.

MLB talk

"I want him pitching 27 more times. If it was the ninth inning, maybe, I think about it," Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez, who removed Aaron Harang on Friday night against the Mets after seven hitless innings and 121 pitches.

Stat-o-matic

VICTOR_MARTINEZ__TIGERS__3_31_14_CARLOS_OSORIO_AP.JPGDetroit's Victor Martinez closing in on 1,500 hits.

1. Onward: Detroit's Victor Martinez is six hits shy of 1,500 hits – 900 with the Indians, 374 with Tigers, 220 with Red Sox.

2. Good sign: Aaron Harang, who went to spring training with the Indians before asking for his release, is 3-1 with a 0.70 ERA in four starts with the Braves. Friday night he pitched seven hitless innings in a win over the Mets.

3. Hot start: Oakland's starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs in 14 of their first 16 games this season.



What is your level of confidence in the Ohio State Buckeyes after spring football?

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A week after spring football ended, does Ohio State look like a national title contender to you? Vote in our poll.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State finished last season ranked No. 12 in the nation, a 12-0 start leading to two season-ending losses to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship and Clemson in the Orange Bowl.


The Buckeyes lost four starters on defense and six starters on offense. They lost two defensive coaches. Urban Meyer has used the word "overhaul" when it comes to the defense. And he keeps banging the leadership drum.

After a spring that didn't include quarterback Braxton Miller, who didn't practice after undergoing minor surgery on his throwing shoulder, where do the Buckeyes stand?



SI.com had the Buckeyes at No. 4 in its early top 25 for 2014 after bowl season.

ESPN.com took another look after National Signing Day in February and slotted the Buckeyes at No. 7.

Phil Steele predicted the preseason AP top 25, which in turn will affect how AP voters rank the top 25, therefore making his prediction more accurate, and had Ohio State at No. 6. ESPN writer Travis Haney then listed the Buckeyes among the underrated teams in Steele's prediction, saying he'd have Ohio State in the top five, and that he'd "be stunned if they aren't in the initial playoff."

Stunned is a little much. Maybe a lot much.

In the new four-team playoff, you have to assume the SEC will take two spots until we see otherwise. That leaves two spots for the champions of the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and Big Ten to fight over. It certainly wouldn't be stunning if two teams among Florida State, Oregon and Oklahoma, for instance, took playoff spots ahead of even a very good Big Ten champ.

The new playoff formula will create an entirely new discussion. We'll have plenty of time to get into later. 

For now, in April, what is your level of confidence in Ohio State as a team after spring football? Watch the video to see what Ari and I think, and cast your vote in our poll. 

A lot can and should change during preseason practice in August. But right now, do you think the Buckeyes are a strong national title contender, a team you believe will be in the initial four-team playoff with a chance to win it all?

If you believe that, vote your confidence a 10. If not, give the Buckeyes something else. And then leave your thoughts in the comments.

Why are the Cleveland Browns still working out Johnny Manziel and other QBs this late in the draft process?: Hey Mary Kay!

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Why are the Browns working out Johnny Manziel and other top quarterbacks this late in the draft? Will they draft Khalil Mack with the No. 4 pick? Would they take Derek Carr at No. 4?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey Mary Kay!

Hey Mary Kay: Why are the Browns still working out quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel this late in the draft process and bringing them in for visits?

-- Matt W., Cincinnati, Ohio

Hey Matt: The Browns will take a quarterback somewhere early on in this draft and need to prepare for every possibility. At this point, no one has any idea what the Texas are going to do at No. 1. Will coach Bill O'Brien take a chance on Johnny Manziel? Will he go the safer route and draft Blake Bortles? Or will he eschew the quarterback position overall and take Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack? The Browns might like two of the top quarterbacks and both could be gone by No. 4, which means they'd be looking at one with their No. 26 pick. Or they could package No. 26 and No. 35 and move up in the first round to take a Derek Carr. So, they have to find several quarterbacks that they really like and think they can with, and be prepared to take one whenever the opportunity arises.

Hey Mary Kay: Should the Browns draft Johnny Manziel at No. 4 for the excitement it would bring to the team over the next several years?

-- Scott B., Palm Desert, Ca.

Hey Scott: Johnny Football would undoubtedly fill the seats and generate plenty of buzz for the foreseeable future, but the Browns have to block all of that out and base their decision solely on his ability to win in the NFL. Not at Texas A&M, but in the NFL, where he's never been chased or hit by the likes of defenders that he'll see at this level. Everyone agrees that Manziel has the "it factor'' that coach Mike Pettine talked about at the NFL Annual Meeting, but plenty of good quarterback experts I've talked to over the past few months have expressed concern about Manziel's durability in the pros. That's the big question facing the Browns and other teams picking in the top five.

Hey Mary Kay: Do you think the Browns should take Buffalo pass-rusher Khalil Mack with the No. 4 pick?

-- Chris M., Macon, Georgia

Hey Chris: I think the Browns should take one of the top quarterbacks with the No. 4 pick, surround him with a lot of talent, give him the support that rookie quarterbacks here never get and see where that goes. It's tough to get it right with first-round quarterbacks, but it's time for the Browns to draft one in the top five -- something they haven't done since No. 1 overall pick Tim Couch in 1999 -- and try to get to the playoffs with him. Even Geno Smith with all of his struggles won eight games with the Jets last year. Having said that, I think they really like Mack and that he's on their radar at No. 4.

Hey, Mary Kay:  I like what I see from Mike Pettine so far but obviously the proof will be in September on the field. One thing I don't like is the "Play like a Brown" saying. Anyone who watches Hard Knocks knows that was Rex Ryan's favorite saying "Play like a Jet.'' Every time I hear it from Pettine I think of the Jets. I know Mike P. will take a lot of things from Rex but he should of come up with his own saying in this case. Does this bother you or anyone else in the media or the fans?

- Mike Burke, Cumming, Ga.

Hey Mike: I have no problem with coach Pettine using phrases that he learned from Rex Ryan or other bosses. All coaches borrow philosophies, schemes and slogans from their mentors. Pettine will put his own stamp on the Browns, but he'll incorporate things he learned from Ryan, his own father and others. After interviewing him four or five times now, I'm very impressed and I think Browns fans will like him.

Hey, Mary Kay:  I am a Browns fan but never having played or studied the fine points of the game, my question has to do with the possibility of moving Paul Kruger to the ILB position where there is need and if Khalil Mack is available at #4, he will likely be selected by the Browns, given so many good players available at the wide receiver position.  Kruger has the size and I would think being an OLB, he should be faster than many ILB candidates.

- Larry Dykes, Indian Lake, Pa.

Hey Larry: I think Paul Kruger's strength is as an edge rusher and that he needs to play on the outside. However, I don't think that would preclude the Browns from drafting Khalil Mack, who figures to be a dominant pass-rusher in the NFL. If the Browns take Mack at No. 4, they can still get a good quarterback such as Jimmy Garoppolo at No. 26 and a good receiver or corner at No. 35. Elite pass-rushers are one of the few positions that warrant a top five pick. I think the Browns will also strongly consider Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson with the No. 4 overall pick.

Hey, Mary Kay:  I was wondering if the Browns were looking at Jimmy Garoppolo? I think he is a sleeper and could be a very good option for the Browns in the draft. I am a born and raised blood-runs-orange diehard Browns fan. I don't live in Cleveland anymore but that does not make a difference. Always am and always will be a diehard Browns Fan!

- Robert Turkaly, Phoenix, Ariz.

Hey Robert: The Browns conducted private workouts with Garoppolo and other second-tier quarterbacks such as Alabama's A.J. McCarron, Pitt's Tom Savage and Ball State's Keith Wenning. They're prepared to take a quarterback anywhere in the draft. They're also considering Georgia's Aaron Murray, who's five months removed from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. This week, they'll get another look at most of the quarterbacks when they come to town for pre-draft visits. Blake Bortles will be here Monday and Tuesday, and Derek Carr, Murray and others will also be in this week.

Hey, Mary Kay: Conspiracy theory for you. The Browns have yet to sign a veteran backup quarterback, though they acknowledge they need one.  I think they are waiting until after the draft.  They are targeting Derek Carr in the draft. Once they select him, they will sign his brother as the backup. What do you think?  

- Mitch Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey Mitch: From everything I can gather, the Browns really like Derek Carr and are strongly considering drafting him. Carr has said teams have inquired about signing his big brother David, the former no.1 pick of the Texans, as a backup to help mentor and push him. I have no idea if the Browns are one of those teams, but I'm sure the thought has at least cross their minds. David Carr spent a season with Kyle Shanahan in Houston in 2006, when Shanahan was wide receivers coach, so they have a familiarity with each other. What's more, David is extremely well-versed in the West Coast system Shanahan runs and can help teach it to his brother.

Hey Mary Kay: With a reported draft as deep as this year... Would it be worth trading any 2015 picks for picks this year's draft?

- Nate Workman, Cincinnati, Ohio

Hey Nate: With 10 picks in this draft, anything is possible. The Browns might package picks to move up, they might trade back, they might trade some for picks next year and they might borrow from next year to take a player this year. It's all on the table and it should be an exciting three days. It might even include trade discussions for Washington backup Kirk Cousins.

Hey, Mary Kay: What are the Browns going to do about the cornerback spot opposite Joe Haden? Will they draft one early, sign one, or (gulp) go into next season with Buster Skrine starting? 

- John Jay, Erie, Pa.

Hey John: I think the Browns will draft a cornerback fairly high, possibly within the first three picks. They gave up far too many TD passes last year and collapsed at the end of the half and end of games because of coverage issues. Skrine can still cover the slot, but they need another shutdown corner on the outside, preferably a big, physical corner who can outmuscle bigger receivers.


Starting lineups for Sunday's Cleveland Indians -- Toronto Blue Jays game

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The Indians need a win on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep against Toronto. Here are Sunday's starting lineups and the pitching matchup.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians need a win on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep against Toronto. Here are Sunday's starting lineups and the pitching matchup.


Pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 7.84 ERA) vs. Brandon Morrow (1-1, 5.52 ERA)

Starting lineups
Indians
CF Michael Bourn
1B Nick Swisher
2B Jason Kipnis
C Carlos Santana
LF Michael Brantley
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
RF David Murphy
DH Ryan Raburn
3B Lonnie Chisenhall

Blue Jays
SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
1B Juan Francisco
3B Brett Lawrie
CF Colby Rasmus
C Josh Thole
2B Ryan Goins

Cleveland Indians vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Chat about the game with Zack Meisel and get updates

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The Indians look to avoid a three-game sweep in today's game against Toronto. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians look to bounce back from yesterday's loss and avoid a sweep against Toronto this afternoon at Progressive Field. Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 7.84 ERA) faces Brandon Morrow (1-1, 5.52).






Setting up the high school sports coverage for Monday, April 21, 2014: Morning Announcements

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See coverage coming all day long Monday to cleveland.com/hssports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a look at high school sports content that will be posted on cleveland.com/hssports all day today by the Northeast Ohio Media Group’s Varsity12 staff.

Reporter Stephanie Kuzydym’s series previewing the National Federation of State High School Association’s Basketball Rules Committee meeting continues. The committee, which now includes Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner Dan Ross, is meeting today to discuss and possibly vote on several rule change proposals. 

Today, Kuzydym reveals the results of her survey to area schools asking if they would be in favor of a shot clock and switching to halves instead of quarters, among other things. That is one of a handful of posts planned for today on the NFHS and the basketball proposals.

We will, of course, have news and reaction if any rule changes are voted upon on Monday as well.

Tune in to the weekly off-season football podcast, which goes live every Monday morning. This week, reporter Bill Landis speaks with coaches to preview the OhioNorth-South Classic All-Star football game, which is Saturday in Dayton.

Landis also will have a scouting report of the Division IV-VII South team for Saturday’s game in his first breakdown leading up to the game.

Get your questions ready for the weekly Anchor Leg track and field podcast. Look for a post today inviting you to submit questions, discussion topics and future guests for reporters Tim Bielik and Joe Noga.

Speaking of questions, do you have questions about the upcoming football season? Of course you do. Each Monday, Landis answers three football questions sent in from readers in a Three-and-Out series. Check out his column today, then go to the comments section to post your questions.

Get caught up on the top baseball and softball action from the past week in highlights posts by reporters Kuzydym, David Cassilo and Mark Kern.

Come back tonight for live box scores and recaps in all the spring sports, as well as Tuesday’s schedule in each sport.

Where would the Indians be without Michael Brantley and David Murphy? Zack Meisel's musings

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Given the sluggish start by those who compose the top of the order, Brantley and Murphy have proven invaluable.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As shadows crept across the diamond following the Indians' 6-4 win against Toronto on Sunday, manager Terry Francona drove a little girl around the perimeter of the field on his red scooter.

Just prior to Francona's excursion, a group of kids and their parents participated in an Easter egg hunt in the right-field corner.

Wins and losses are important to the Indians. So, too, are the concepts of family, bonding and enjoying life.

Here are five observations from sun-splashed Cleveland.

1. Co-MVPs: Who pegged Michael Brantley and David Murphy as being the Indians' offensive catalysts to this point in the season? The two outfielders sit atop the team's leaderboard in hits and RBIs. Given the sluggish start by those who compose the top of the order, Brantley and Murphy have proven invaluable with a slew of timely hits, a propensity for driving in runs and an ability to hang in at the plate against both righties and lefties.

2. Murph's turf: Francona stressed from the start that Murphy wouldn't platoon with Ryan Raburn in right field. The Indians handed Murphy $12 million over two years so he could be the everyday right fielder.

Two of Murphy's most significant swings of the bat this season have come against southpaws. He unleashed a bases-clearing triple in the ninth inning off White Sox lefty Donnie Veal to put the stamp on a 12-6 win in Chicago last week. His three-run double on Sunday, which gave the Indians a 6-4 victory, came against Toronto left-hander Aaron Loup.

Murphy improved to 4-for-18 (.222) against lefties this season. He's batting .324 against righties.

"I thought Murphy was an outstanding pickup this winter," Francona said. "He fits everything we're looking for. He's a great teammate, and just wants to do the right thing. He's a great guy to have around."

3. Arm assessment: There was no talk Sunday of Carlos Carrasco tiring on the mound, as he claimed he had a week earlier in Chicago, much to the surprise of Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway. Carrasco's results this time around were similar, albeit a bit better. Francona said the right-hander continued to struggle with his mechanics out of the stretch. He tossed three flawless frames to begin his outing, so he didn't toil with pitching in such a circumstance until the fourth inning. Then, things started to unravel.

Francona seemed somewhat encouraged by Carrasco's showing, and certainly more so than he was after his previous start.

"We'll just keep working and put our heads together and talk to him," Francona said, "and just see if we can get it better."

4. Role play: So, if Carrasco can breeze through the first few innings each time out, but scuffles in the later stages of his appearance, shouldn't he just be a reliever? Perhaps. His numbers since June 29, 2011 (0-11, 8.28 ERA) certainly suggest as much.

It appears as though the Indians don't want to commit to that kind of switch just yet. Carrasco is out of options, so any kinks must be worked out at the big league level. Francona speaks often of Carrasco's size, strength and potential to eat up innings. For now, however, the team continues to wait for results.

5. Vultures: Josh Outman moved to within one victory of the Major League lead. He earned his third win of the season on Sunday after he tossed eight pitches in one-third of an inning in relief of Carrasco. Fellow reliever Cody Allen has two wins to his name this season.

When statheads talk about devaluing the meaning of a win, this is why. The Indians have had a knack for late-inning comebacks for the last few years. As such, Allen, Joe Smith and Bryan Shaw combined for 19 victories last season. 


Questions swirl as Cleveland Cavaliers enter offseason

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Cavaliers acting general manager David Griffin will meet with the media on Tuesday to conduct the season wrapup. That someone whose standing in the organization is uncertain should be conducting a season review and off-season preview is just another indication that things didn't go quite as planned for the Cavs this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers acting general manager David Griffin is scheduled to meet with reporters Tuesday morning to conduct the annual season-wrapup press conference. The meeting was postponed from Thursday, when Griffin's season-ending meetings with players ran long.

Griffin's future, of course, is one of the questions that will have to be answered by owner Dan GIlbert, along with that of coach Mike Brown. But at this point, no meetings have been scheduled, sources say. Over the weekend, Griffin's name surfaced in the Detroit Pistons search for a new general manager, though he declined to comment on the reports.

That someone whose standing in the organization is uncertain should be conducting a season review and off-season preview is just another indication that things didn't go quite as planned for the Cavs this season. Though they technically were in the playoff chase until the final week, their 33-49 finish can only be viewed as a disappointment. Significant progress was made on the defensive end, which was what Brown was brought in to do, but it remains to be seen if Gilbert will stay that course.

With all that in mind, what's on the agenda for Tuesday?

Here are the five biggest questions for the Cavs moving forward.

1. Who stays and who goes?

That's the question hanging over the entire organization -- from Griffin and Brown to free agents Luol Deng and Spencer Hawes, all the way through the roster, starting with Kyrie Irving.

Obviously, Gilbert will have to decide the fate of Griffin and Brown, as well as whether he wants to restructure the organization and bring in a president as the New York Knicks did with Phil Jackson. It's possible he could hire a president and let that person make the call, but that seems unlikely -- and somewhat time consuming -- unless he already is in the process of doing so. Asked late in the season about the possibility of hiring a president, Gilbert said such decisions would be made after the season.

Until the top of the organization is settled, it's difficult to know how the Cavs will proceed. Deng and Hawes will attract attention in the free-agent market and are considered long shots to return, so a roster shakeup is in the offing.

2. Will the Cavs offer Irving a maximum five-year, $90 million extension this summer, and will he sign it?

No matter who is in charge, this is the biggest decision that will have to be made -- and it's far from settled. There are pros and cons. Irving is a two-time All-Star, the reigning All-Star MVP, but he also has a history of injuries and the Cavs have lost 152 games in his three seasons. Obviously, he can't be blamed for all the losses, and no other player has had more game winners over the past three years, but some will question whether a player worth the max should have helped his team win more games.

Though no one in his position has refused to do so, there's no guarantee Irving will sign a max extension, even if it's offered. He has stopped short of saying he would several times over the past year, saying he'd do whatever is best for himself and his family. In his final comments after the last game, he came as close as he has to predicting his future.

"I've been a part of this and I want to continue to be a part of this," he said. "We're making strides in the right direction, especially in this organization. I want to be part of something special, and I want to be part of something special in Cleveland. I don't have a definitive answer to that right now, but it'll be something special. I can guarantee that."

Of course, he literally had his coat and backpack on and practically one foot out the locker room door when he said it.

Clearly, the Cavs will have some indication which way Irving is leaning before they make their offer public, and his response will dictate which way they proceed.

3. Can Irving and Dion Waiters co-exist on the court, and what should the Cavs do if they decide that answer is no?

Once the Cavs have an indication of Irving's plans, they will have to figure out whether they want to continue to hope he and Waiters will learn to play together, or try to find players that mesh better on the court. Both would have tremendous trade value should the Cavs opt to explore those options.

4. Do the Cavs plan to make a big splash in free agency this summer, even if LeBron James isn't in the pool?

The Cavs were built to make a move this summer, but they're nowhere near as far along in their rebuilding as they were hoping to be, which does not make them an attractive free-agent destination. They overpaid to lure Andrew Bynum and Jarrett Jack last summer.

Right now, many other questions will have to be answered before they get to worrying about free agents.

5. Given all that uncertainty, how do the Cavs approach the upcoming draft?

For the fourth straight season, it looks as if they're going to be in the market for a small forward. This draft is projected to be deeper that the past three. Of course, the Cavs were just good enough to finish in the ninth spot heading into the May 20 lottery. They hoped to be at a point now where they were supplementing with draft choices, not depending on them.

What will the Cleveland Cavaliers do and how will Dan Gilbert announce it? -- Bill Livingston

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Whatever Dan Gilbert decides to do with Mike Brown, it won't clean up the mess the franchise is in quickly. "Bank" on that.

CLEVELAND, Ohio –- The way I understand it, if Dan Gilbert sees his shadow tomorrow morning, he fires Mike Brown and hires Byron Scott again. Or something like that.

Tuesday is when Gilbert and the Cavaliers are supposed to announce whatever they are planning to do to stop the laugh track at games and get back from the suburbs of Stepienville. (Ted Stepien's Cavs: 66-180, .268; Gilbert's Cavs since The Decision: 97-215, .311.)

The most memorable thing about Gilbert after the Cavs' apocollapse in 2010 against the Celtics and LeBron James leaving was the owner's response.

Almost four years ago, just hours after interviewer Jim Gray's pandering during "The Decision," Gilbert typed -- in Comic Sans font at that -- his way out of the gates of history and into legend. His epic, bile-filled, late-night diatribe about James to the fans had, with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, sort of a "How did he quit thee? Let me count the ways" quality to it.

It was an absolute corker, what with the "cowardly betrayal" stuff and the "shocking display of disloyalty" riff, but the absolute topper, the red-meat-for-the-masses main course, was the guarantee.

IT WAS ALL IN CAPITALS, LIKE SOMEBODY SCREAMING, and it was in that oddball font, and it read: I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA TITLE BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE."

Quicker than somebody could fire up a second LeBron jersey so ESPN could slurp James some more and tut-tut about the ridiculous film footage depicting Cavs fans as barbarians, Gilbert added, "You can take it to the bank."

In the first season without James, only the seriously deluded expected much, although 26 losses in a row was certainly ineptitude on a planned and profligate scale.

On the bright side, South Beach 'Bronny did not win the championship, although he came close in Miami's six-game loss to Dallas in the NBA Finals. Also, the Cavs won the draft lottery and got Kyrie Irving.

Since then, the score is Cowardly Betrayer 2, Dauntless Dan's Direct Deposit Dynasty 0. (Could be 3-0 by the summer solstice.)

What's a shoot first, think later owner like Gilbert to do? Guarantee – scratch that, make it "vow" – not to go back to the draft lottery this season?

He tried that. His team did anyway.

Profess faith in Brown, a coach he hired to try to lure James back, after firing him to try to keep James?

(This isn't the end of the column. Just give me a moment ...

(I'm still working on it ...

(Hold on ...

(OK. I'm back. Had to step away and think long and hard about that one. Still doesn't make a lick of sense to me.)

Fire the general manager, Chris Grant?

Tried that, too. Gilbert also praised him at the same time, which was another head-scratcher.

Hey, Grant would've been the smartest guy in the room, except he wasn't. Somehow, you see, Grant took Anthony Bennett No. 1 overall after yet another lottery win.

Colleague Mary Schmitt Boyer notes the Canadian version of "60 Minutes "is doing a piece on Bennett (4 points, 3 rebounds per game) as the first guy from the Great White North to be taken No. 1 in the NBA Draft. Wonder how prominently the chance that he is the biggest bust taken at No. 1 in the NBA Draft is mentioned? Just curious, eh?

Or does Gilbert decide, for whatever unfathomable reason, that Brown is just the guy to keep Irving?

Fired after one season and five (5) games of a second by the Lakers in 2012-13, Brown has usually eschewed the only real weapon a coach possesses over the standard-issue immature young player –- playing time.

Irving has been subjected to very little of that here while, in this three years, managing to be the MVP of the joke that is the All-Star Game. Otherwise, his teams have gone 78-152, .348. He's missed 49 games. That's not an excuse; it's part of the problem.

The Cavs will say what's up Tuesday. Maybe a puff of white smoke over The Q will announce a new coach?

Whatever happens, it will be a while before Cavs fans go to the ATM and take out the victory parade.

For basketball rule proposals, all opinions have to be taken into account

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All opinions will be taken into account in the NFHS basketball rules committee meeting.

CLEVELAND, Ohio –- Basketball coaches have their opinions. So do the fans – and the officials, the parents, the athletes, the athletic directors, the executive directors and the national federation.

On Monday, all those opinions will be taken into account when the National Federation of State High School Association’s basketball rules committee meets in Indianapolis to vote on the proposals, approximately 32 in all, which could change the high school game.

For the first time in so long that even the Ohio High School Athletic Association can’t remember, one of those basketball rules committee members will be from the Buckeye State. OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross was elected this year to the committee as the head of Section 2, a section that encompasses Ohio, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Ohio has the largest amount of high schools (third in the nation) and the largest amount of students (fourth in the nation) of all those states, so what the state’s more than 1,600 high school basketball coaches say receives major consideration.            

That’s why for the last week, we’ve broken down every aspect of two of the proposals the Northeast Ohio Media Group knows are on the table: shot clocks and 18-minute halves.

Every year, the OHSAA sends out a survey to its voting members to find whether they are in favor or against the proposal. NEOMG sent out a similar survey to local coaches to find whether they are in favor or against the addition of a shot clock and the switch from eight-minute quarters to 18-minute halves. Of 79 coaches who responded, 54 were in favor of shot clocks and 50 were in favor of 18-minute halves.

That’s because at the base of every proposal lies a vote.

An approval or veto.

A yes. Or a no.

‘This is America’s Game’

In 1891 Dr. James Naismith created an American game in which the object is to get the ball through the hoop.

Fast forward 123 years and spend one March around a college basketball fan. The game has caught fire and grew into not just the nation’s game, but the world’s.

While baseball is seen as America’s pastime, basketball is America’s futuretime. Yet the rest of the world is catching on.

One of the best shooting guards in the Big Ten and best forwards in the Big 12 were from Canada. One of the best centers in the college game is from Cameroon. A forward playing in Pittsburgh has a hometown in Nigeria.

Niels Giffey of Berlin, Germany just won a national title with Connecticut earlier this month.

Scour any high school roster in the areas of Florida, Kansas or Maryland and see how many foreigners are on the roster. Most are playing high school ball in America now.

One of the best basketball players to ever play the game, though, came from Akron. LeBron James will forever be synonymous with St. Vincent-St. Mary, his high school where he won three state titles before making the jump straight to the NBA in 2003.

Dru Joyce, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s boys basketball coach and LeBron’s high school coach, is one of the local coaches in favor of adding a shot clock to the game.

“I think that we’re falling behind the world,” Joyce said. “It’s our game, but the world is playing the game and they’re playing it at a level that’s, honestly, better suited for the kids as they transition into the college age and the professional range.

“The world is playing with a shot clock from the time they start playing club ball in other countries, especially in Europe. We need to honestly kind of get our heads out of the stand and realize that the world is catching up. 

Joyce understands there is a cost that comes to the addition of a shot clock.

“It is so prohibitive that it would preclude high schools from adding it? I just don’t believe that that is the case,” Joyce said. “The cost factor shouldn’t be the determining issue.”

‘It’s all about keeping the balance’

Many of these rules that the committees put into place are to keep a competitive balance.

Some coaches that NEOMG spoke with argued that a shot clock would force a player to take a bad shot. Others though, like Paul Barlow, Hathaway Browns’ five-time state champion coach, would like how it rewards strong defense.

Then there’s Dan Barringer. He was involved in basketball for the last 46 years and retired this year from the Cleveland school system.

He’s a former president of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), the largest basketball officials’ organization in the world.

He is against shot clocks and 18-minute halves for many reasons.

Last week the IAABO held its spring seminar in which a survey was released of how often shots were taken. Thousands of games were analyzed across seven state. The results showed boys took a shot within 22 seconds and girls within 25 seconds.

“That tells me you don’t need a shot clock,” Barringer said

NEOMG was able to get the cost of a new shot clock broken down by Daktronics, one of several suppliers of shot clocks. A new shot clock can cost between $5,000 and $7,000. Then there are several other variables like a shot clock operator (average cost $600 per season), wiring, installation and even a new scoreboard (average cost between $10,000 to $25,000-plus) if the current one isn’t shot-clock compatible.

“A lot of athletic departments are watching their money right now,” Barringer said.

That’s the administrative argument, which other current athletic directors like Cardinal athletic director Andy Cardinal agreed with.

After talking about shot clocks and the strategy of stalling, Cardinal finally said: “I’m really not opposed to shot clocks, it’s more the cost involved with it. ….We have more pressing needs than $5,000 for shot clocks.”

From an officiating standpoint, Barringer said the addition of a shot clock is simple, except for when it “comes to the shot clock operator doing the job right.”

Besides that, if a shot clock violation occurs, a horn goes off and the opposing team gets the ball.

From a coaching point of view, Barringer said he refers to the survey of how often a shot is taken and also that “I coached my kids to take a shot when the good shot was there.”

Barringer is also against 18-minute halves. Some coaches have said 18-minute halves, which would extend the current game by four minutes from 32 to 36 minutes, would put student athletes home even later than they already should be. Other coaches, like Barlow, have said to make it nine-minute quarters. There are still many who say they want the 18-minute quarters because it makes the high school game more like the college game.

As for Barringer, he said he believes the extra four minutes would have coaches and asking for a raise for the extra time.

“And rightfully so,” he said. “It’s an overall cost thing across the board.”

‘If we’re supposed to be a training ground for college, then we’re doing a terrible job’

There are eight outliers in the world of no shot clocks.

California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington high school basketball games play using a shot clock.

Of those eight, only California and New York have more high school students than Ohio and only California has more high schools than the Buckeye State.

These shot clocks have been in place for most of these states for more than a decade or two. Washington was the last to institute a shot clock for boys in 2010 (the girls instituted one in 1974).

Like Washington was until four years ago, Maryland’s shot clock is only used by the girls, who adopted the shot clock before the NFHS rule.

It hasn’t been instituted in the boys game because “they don’t want it” according to Ned Sparks, the executive director of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. The MPSAA oversees 198 schools.

“The boys have felt like at the high school level, it takes some of the coaching and decisions out of the game,” Sparks said. “It’s kind of a yearly decision and one of these days, it will probably happen.”

If the boys were to institute it, everything is set up, yet an MPSSAA girls game at the inception of a shot clock looked like the Brooklyn-Toronto game the other night where the shot clock operator had to hold a shot clock and a horn.

“From my recollection, it was very rarely that you had a visible shot clock,” Sparks said of the way the MPSSAA accomplished instituting shot clocks with the cost. “It was actually kept at the scorer’s table and eventually over time everyone got them and now everyone has them.”

The amount a shot clock violation occurs, though, hasn’t changed.

“If it goes off once every two games, that’s about normal,” Sparks said.

Matt Fetsch, the NDHSAA’s assistant director, said if he proposed the change to take the shot clock or 18-minute halves away from his coaches, the nearly 130 members would unanimously oppose it.

The schools overcame the cost of shot clocks by incorporating a sponsor.

And in New York. Shot clocks have been in place for almost two decades.

Robert Zayas, the executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, said schools always have had issues with budgets, but in the last decade, everyone has really had to justify expenditures – and that is why the proposal of a shot clock passing is so difficult.

Before he was in New York, which oversees 783 high schools, he was in New Mexico, where he watched the ball held for the better part of a game.

“It ends up being two teams looking at each other,” Zayas said. “Shot clocks add a lot to speed up the game and keep the game flowing.”

That’s a move that most local coaches expressed as making the high school game more like the collegiate one. Both Zayas and Sparks disagreed with that.

“Quite frankly, we are not a training ground for college,” Sparks said. “That certainly is a byproduct of what happens from very good players but if we consider us a training ground for college, we’re doing a terrible job because very few of our kids go on to play in college.”

The NCAA, which governs collegiate athletics, actually researched the “probability of competing beyond high school.” The organization found that 3.3% of high school men’s basketball and 3.7% of women’s basketball players move on from high school to college and .03% of both men’s and women’s basketball high school players will one day become a professional. 

‘Children First’

There’s a gold lapel pin that OHSAA commissioner Dan Ross wears with pride. It says two words: ‘Children First.’

It’s a statement that doesn’t go unnoticed by other high school athletic associations.

On Monday, Ross will take his opinion and many others into that meeting in Indianapolis. They will range from how often shots go off now and the international game to cost and college.

In the end, there’s an unofficial motto that the OHSAA goes by that will likely guide Ross’s vote.

It’s about preparing kids for the next level of life, not the next level of competition.

Contact high school sports reporter Stephanie Kuzydym by email (skuzydym@cleveland.com) or on Twitter (@stephkuzy). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

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