Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington will move from nose guard after playing that role alongside Michael Bennett last year. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Adolphus Washington had to wait his turn last year. Now, he's allowed himself to think about what the 2015 season might mean.

He's seen what can happen when a player of his talent level is put in a position to succeed. That's what happened with Michael Bennett last year.

Bennett broke out over the second part of Ohio State's National Championship season after making a full-time switch from nose guard to the other defensive tackle spot. That switch -- which moved Washington to nose guard -- put Bennett in a position to make more plays.

Now Bennett is waiting to see where he'll get selected in the NFL Draft at the end of the month.

The plan is for Washington to be Ohio State's Bennett in 2015.

"Definitely thinking about that," Washington said Thursday after Ohio State's 10th spring practice. "I try to visualize all the stuff I could be doing this year. I'm definitely excited and I'm glad to be there."

Washington could've left after his junior season. It would've been viewed as a leap for a player who hasn't had much of a chance to show what he can do, but don't forget that Washington is a former five-star recruit and a high school All-American.

Washington is currently ranked the No. 2 defensive tackle prospect for the 2016 NFL Draft by CBSSports.com. Now he'll have an opportunity to show what kind of playmaker he can be.

That's not to say he didn't have a good season last year. Bennett doesn't have the second half he had without Washington doing his job as nose guard against double teams, freeing up his teammates. But now Washington is in the position to be in space and make plays, use his talents for bringing down quarterbacks and being that disruptive force in the middle of Ohio State's defensive line.

"We say it all the time, that guy is the most critical guy in our defense," defensive line coach Larry Johnson said. "Mike Bennett down the stretch, that's what we needed."

What does Washington have to do to fill that role?

Having a nose guard who can take on those double teams will help. For Washington to be successful replacing Bennett, Ohio State must find a replacement for Washington. That job will come down to Tommy Schutt, Michael Hill or Joel Hale.

"I feel like Tommy has been a good standout right there, I think he's doing pretty good," Washington said. "I think he's probably the leading candidate for the spot right now."

The big thing for Washington is adjusting to the pass rushing responsibilities that come with moving over from nose guard. Bennett made the permanent switch during the Buckeyes win over Michigan State last year, then had six sacks over the last seven games.

That shouldn't come too hard for Washington, who was once considered a top-5 defensive end prospect nationally. But it's still an adjustment.

"When you put him at nose guard, it's a different position, you don't get as much pass rush," Johnson said. "Now he's back at the three-technique position, he's gotta understand the slide protection, really understand when to take an inside rush or an outside rush. Those are the things we're working on in the spring."

That's what Washington signed up for when he moved to nose guard last year.

He did so knowing that it was Bennett's time then, and it's his now.

In 1994, the Cleveland Indians had a home opener for the ages. Take a look back through these pictures.

The headline in The Plain Dealer captured it this way: JUST PERFECT!

On April 4, 1994, the Cleveland Indians opened Jacobs Field, beat the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, and opened the eyes of long-suffering Indians fans, who had waited decades for a team like this one.

The lineup that day reads like a 1990s All-Star roster: Lofton, Vizquel, Baerga, Belle, Murray, Alomar, Ramirez. Where's Jim Thome? Some opening day trivia: Erstwhile shortstop Mark Lewis started at 3^rd that game. Thome came in to pinch hit - and got a hit.

The starting pitcher in '94 was Dennis Martinez. Eric Plunk won it in relief, in the 11^th.

President Bill Clinton threw out the first pitch.

Paul Hoynes, the Indians beat writer in 1994 (some things don't change) wrote it this way in The Plain Dealer:

Jacobs Field opened the way a ballpark should yesterday in the sun and chill of April.

President Bill Clinton provided the pageantry. Randy Johnson briefly ruffled the pages of history. Then the Indians trucked in a ton of tension.

So, when Wayne Kirby singled home Eddie Murray in the 11th inning to give the Indians a 4- 3 victory over Seattle, it wasn't so much a team that sighed and stood straight, but a whole city. Cleveland has been waiting for a place like this - and perhaps a team like this - for a long time.

On Friday, the 2015 Indians have their home opener against the Detroit Tigers. It's Progressive Field now, of course. But Sandy Alomar Jr. will be there -- albeit coaching for the Indians. Omar Vizquel will be there - albeit coaching for the Tigers. And you can bet that somewhere in the stands there will be fans, talking about being there in 1994.

Along with the contract extensions to young players, Manager Terry Francona is under contract through 2018 with team options in 2019 and 2020. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As the Indians open their home season, there are reasons for fans to be upbeat.

"When you look at our leadership team and our core players, we have them in place for a while," said Tribe President Mark Shapiro.

The Tribe's recent turnaround began when Terry Francona was hired as the manager after the 2012 season. That was a dramatic decision, because Francona would have had several managerial opportunities.

The Indians called right after the 68-94 season in 2012 and Francona immediately said he was interested. He never pursued any other jobs because he wanted to work for Shapiro and General Manager Chris Antonetti. His original contract was quietly extended a while ago, and he is signed through 2018 with the team having options in 2019 and 2020.

So the Indians have the 2013 American League Manager of the Year committed to the franchise for several years. That certainly helped in this week's contract extensions to Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. Since 2012, the Indians have signed Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis, Yan Gomes, Michael Brantley, Carrasco and Kluber to extensions.

As Shapiro said, "We've been working hard to earn the trust of the fans, and we want to deliver a winner and a good fan experience at the park."

STABILITY HELPS

If you're a Tribe fan, you don't have to spend the next season wondering if they will trade this prominent player because free agency looms. Nor if Francona will hit the open market.

Consider how Francona was valued before he arrived -- two World Series titles in Boston. But his reputation has been enhanced as the Tribe have become contenders. He's proven to be a terrific manager in a big market such as Boston as well as a middle market with a modest payroll in Cleveland.

For those who are constantly critical of the Dolan ownership and the front office, the fact is Francona has faith in them. He didn't come to Cleveland to lose and mess up his reputation.

You listen to Carrasco explain why he defied his agents and the union to sign a four-year extension with the Tribe because "they never gave up on me" and he wanted to take care of his family. Kluber talked about signing with the Tribe, "because this is where I want to be."

Pitching coach Mickey Callaway also is a factor, because Carrasco and Kluber have bloomed under his teaching.

In the first two games at Houston, Kluber and Carrasco were superb on the mound. They combined to hold the Astros to two runs in 13 2/3 innings, striking out 17 and walking three.

Kipnis looks healthy, as he's been driving the ball hard to the opposite field and moving well at second base.

Then Trevor Bauer delivered six no-hit innings Thursday, walking five and striking out 11. So the first three starters gave up only two runs in Houston.

Santana hit a homer Wednesday on his birthday -- the third time in his career that he's done that. Gomes is strong behind the plate.

The only early concern among the players who have signed extensions is Brantley, who has missed two games with a sore back. The injury is not expected to be serious, but Brantley rarely misses games. He averaged 152 games over the previous three seasons.

The only player on the active roster who will be a free agent at the end of the season is Mike Aviles.

THE NEW LOOK BALLPARK

Shapiro worked hard to figure out what was the best way to improve the look of the right field part of Progressive Field.

"That area was underutilized, outdated and unattractive," he said. "I think fans will be impressed with the magnitude of the changes. It's one of those things that you have to experience."

The Tribe has added a Corner Bar area, local restaurants and a two-level Kids Clubhouse. It's aimed at the younger fans.

It's a no-lose endeavor for the Tribe. If you look at the ballpark as a store, and consider that there's a part of the store where people rarely visit ... that begs for something to be changed. For example, huge bookstores such as Barnes & Noble added a cafe to give their customers a place to visit and stick around. The right-field area is designed to do that for Tribe fans.

The Indians know they are not a perfect team, but things are much, much better ... at the park and on the field.

LeBron James is going to sit out some games before Cleveland's regular-season ends. Good luck guessing which contests he'll watch from the bench.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The "if" guessing game regarding whether LeBron James would sit any of the Cavaliers' final regular-season games was flipped to a contest of "when" on Wednesday night.

When the Chicago Bulls lost to Orlando about an hour before Cleveland defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 104-99 (either event meant the Cavs clinched the No. 2 seed in the East), Cleveland's remaining four contests were rendered pointless.

Dating back to at least March 10 -- so for the last month -- James has been talking about taking another rest before the playoffs begin. But both he and, more strongly, Cleveland coach David Blatt fought the notion that anyone would rest until the highest playoff seed the Cavs could get was clinched.

The second seed is in hand, so Blatt will make time for James and others (see Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Timofey Mozgov, etc.) to sit. But tickets were bought because of the allure of watching James, and the Cavs are 2-9 this season without him.

With no practice Thursday, and thus no coaches or players available to answer such questions, the fans with tickets to Cleveland's remaining three home games, the three teams the Cavs have on their schedule, and the sports gamblers are left to guess when James might sit over the next week.

It's a task made a little trickier by Cleveland's quirky schedule to end the season, James' injury-plagued campaign, the playoff implications some of these games have for the rest of the East, and how James has historically handled the last few days before the postseason starts.

So will James play Friday at home against the Celtics? It's anyone's guess.

"I feel like I probably would take one game or two games off before the postseason starts, it's just normal for me at the end of the season going into the postseason," James said Wednesday, prior to dropping 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists on the Bucks.

Over his last three years with the Miami Heat, James did indeed take off the final two regular-season contests in each season.

If James were to do that again this season, he'd miss home games against Detroit on Monday and against Washington in the finale. As of this moment, the Wizards trail Toronto and Chicago by just one game for the No. 3 seed in the East, which affects who the Cavs would play in a second-round series.

If James were to circle those last two games as the ones to take off, it would mean he plays at home Friday against the Celtics and again Sunday in Boston. If the playoffs started Thursday, the Celtics would be the No. 7 seed and face Cleveland in the first round.

Boston holds the tiebreaker with Brooklyn (the Nets and Celtics are both 36-42), while the Pacers and the Heat trail those two teams by one game.

James could choose -- or decide with the agreement and consultation of Blatt -- to sit one or both Celtics games. If he were to miss just one Boston game, would he really pick sitting out the home contest Friday and Monday's game at The Q against the Pistons? He's too business savvy for that.

In 2010-11, James' first year with the Heat, he sat only the regular-season finale in the waning days that year. In 2009-10, his last season with Cleveland before this one, he sat the final four games. In 2012-13 -- his second of two championship seasons with the Heat -- he missed six of the Miami's final 10 games.

Given that this is James' first season with the Cavs, and the Cleveland team that will fight for a title has only been together since mid-January because of trades and injuries, one might draw a parallel between now and 2011.

But James has missed a career-high 11 games due to injury this season, appeared in four consecutive Finals, and logged more than 42,000 minutes in 12 pro seasons. None of those items were a factor for James in 2011.

There is also the issue of who the Cavs would rather play in the first round. The Pacers and Heat have each defeated Cleveland twice, and the Nets knocked off the Cavs 106-98 on March 27.

Cleveland is 2-0 against the Celtics, including a 110-79 shellacking on March 3.

Good luck.

The four-game slate features a nationally televised home game on Thursday, Aug. 20, against the Buffalo Bills. In that contest, Browns coach Mike Pettine will match up against his mentor, new Bills head coach Rex Ryan.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns announced their 2015 preseason schedule on Thursday, and the four-game slate features a home game on Thursday, Aug. 20, against the Buffalo Bills televised on ESPN.

In that contest, Browns coach Mike Pettine will match up against his mentor, new Bills head coach Rex Ryan. Pettine and Ryan coached together when Ryan was head coach of the New York Jets.

The Browns will wear their new uniforms, which will be revealed Tuesday, for the first time against Washington in a home game sometime between Aug. 13-17.

Here is a look at the entire preseason schedule:

• Aug. 13-17 vs. the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium
• Aug. 20 vs. Buffalo Bills (ESPN) at FirstEnergy Stadium
• Aug. 27-30 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium
• Sept. 3-4 at Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

The Browns said Thursday that details on dates and times will be announced at a later date; and that the league's regular-season schedule will be released later this month.

The Browns haven't played the Bills in the preseason since 2006, and Buffalo hasn't traveled to Cleveland for a preseason game since 1986.

The 2015 preseason will mark the 12th straight year the Browns and Bears will play. Cleveland is 19-11 all-time against the Bears in the preseason.

WEWS (Ch. 5) will show Browns preseason games, and the games will air on radio on 92.3 The Fan, ESPN 850 WKNR and 98.5 WNCX.

There is finally some weekend sunshine in the fishing forecast, but anglers will face big winds and rain today.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - For a change, there isn't any rain in the weekend forecast. The sunny weather will be needed, though, to dry out areas hit by thunderstorms and heavy rains the last couple of days.

Don't expect the steelhead trout fishing to sparkle for a while, but there were excellent reports of trout in the rivers before the gully washers hit. The tributaries will clear first and, hopefully, the main rivers will be in top shape soon.

The good Lake Erie walleye fishing should continue and expand in the coming days.

CLEVELAND AREA

Rainbow trout are the best bet, with Ohio Division of Wildlife and Cleveland Metroparks rainbow trout releases providing some action. Wallace Lake has been getting the lion's share of the rainbow trout and this week it received a big slug of bluegills, largemouth bass and even some crappie.

The East Branch of the Rocky River and Wallace Lake split a load of 700 pounds of rainbow trout earlier this week. If the water levels cooperate, the East Branch will get another stocking of rainbow trout Tuesday.

Westlake Recreation Center's pond and Shadow and Hinckley lakes received state stockings of rainbow trout last week. Forest Hill Pond in East Cleveland received rainbow trout Thursday.

LAKE ERIE

Big winds will make the Western Lake Erie walleye fishing difficult today, especially for small boat anglers. South winds and sunny skies are in the weekend forecast and fishing conditions should improve.

The spring walleye fishing has been good to outstanding west of Catawba Island and around the reef complex off Camp Perry and Davis-Besse Power Plant. Trolling fishermen have been getting trophy walleye on minnow-style plugs such as the Perfect 10, Deep Husky Jerk and Reef Runner.

Jigging fishermen are casting lead-head jigs with hair skirts and blade baits around the shallower reefs. Good success has been reported with jigging spoons such as the Sonic Baitfish and Crippled Herring tipped with emerald shiner minnows.

Walleye were reported caught just east of Cranberry Creek Marina. Anglers are casting in 12 to 15 feet of water and trolling the 25- to 28-foot depths.

The boat ramp at the Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area is closed through April.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

The Northeast Ohio rivers and streams are all high and muddy after yesterday's rains and cold front, but a weekend of sunny weather could allow some of the tributaries to clear soon. The rivers expected back in action soon are the Rocky and Chagrin, and Grand River tributaries that include Mill and Paine creeks.

The Maumee and Sandusky rivers are both on the rise, which should lure fresh runs of walleye. Expect some of the best fishing of the spring as the waters settle over the weekend. Fishermen are casting Carolina-style rigs with 3- to 5-foot leaders and medium to large floating jigs with 3- to 4-inch twister tails.

Brighter colors are still the key. With many areas closed after ice damage along the Maumee River, get river access updates at metroparkstoledo.com or woodcountyparkdistrict.org.

PONDS, LAKES, RESERVOIRS

Rainbow trout are being released for the Goodyear Hunting and Fishing Club's annual trout derby for the kids Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Little Turtle Pond in Akron's Firestone Metro Park. Trout were also stocked for Saturday's youth fishing event at Punderson Lake at Punderson State Park in Geauga County.

Veteran's Park Pond in Mentor and Silver Creek Lake in near Norton will get trout stockings next Wednesday.

This past week, rainbow trout were released in Hinckley and Shadow lakes on Wednesday, as well as the Westlake Recreation Center pond. Trout were poured into Painesville Recreation Pond on Thursday.

The walleye are biting at Pymatuning and Mosquito reservoir now that the ice is finally gone. The causeways at both lakes have been top walleye areas, with fishermen casting Vi-Bees, Sonars and other blade baits around the causeway rocks.

Yellow perch fishing is good on Pymatuning around Stewart Bay on the east side of the lake near the hatchery. Fishermen are wading the lake points and casting minnow-style plugs and jig-twister tail rigs for walleye.

Mosquito crappies are biting around the north end of the lake and off the cemetery on the south end. Causeway Sporting Goods begins renting boats this weekend.

The Portage Lakes crappie fishing has been fair to very good working the deep ends of the docks at East, Turkeyfoot and Nimisila reservoirs.

Mel Kiper's latest mock draft has the Browns picking DeVante Parker and Todd Gurley.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Build the team.

Every time a post goes up about Sam Bradford or Marcus Mariota or any other quarterback, it is met with those three words: build the team. Don't sell out and get a quarterback with no structure around him. Don't give up opportunities to add talent elsewhere just to take a swing at one guy. Build. The. Team.

Never mind that the Browns have been taking the "build the team" approach for a while now. The last quarterback they took in the Top 20? Tim Couch. Maybe it was that lack of structure around Couch that has left fans scarred. Regardless, are consistent failed attempts to build the team any better than consistent failed attempts to find a quarterback?

So it is that the Browns enter the 2015 draft with two first-round picks and no quarterback. I did my mock draft roundup on Wednesday, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. posted his fourth mock draft today and it merits its own mention because I haven't seen this scenario before: the Browns go all in on offense -- and no quarterback is in sight:

12. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

"Analysis: The Browns have added Dwayne Bowe, but he'll be 31 in September and is more name value than anything close to a No. 1 receiver at this point in his career. I expect the Browns to pick more than one pass-catcher, and getting Parker here is a good place to start. I do think he has a chance to be as good as any of the three guys already off the board if he can stay healthy. Parker will beat defenders to the ball on high-point catches with his size, leaping ability and catch radius, and he's underrated as a threat to add yards after the catch on short throws. He'll help a QB look better. The Browns could also look at a pass-rusher here, or Waynes if he's still on the board, but Parker makes sense."

Full disclosure: If the Browns picked Parker, I would be ecstatic.

So yes, please, on DeVante Parker.

Still, this is nothing new. Lots of mock drafts have the Browns taking Parker or Kevin White or (if he inexplicably falls) Amari Cooper. It's at No. 19 that Kiper goes outside the box:

19. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

"Analysis: It's not the pick I'm making as GM of the Browns, but this is a projection, not 'Mel's picks.' The Browns already have added talent at wide receiver, and if healthy the offensive line could be one of the NFL's best. While they got pretty good production out of the rookie tandem at running back in 2014, Gurley certainly could qualify as the "best player available" at this spot on the board. The Browns can take him knowing he doesn't have to be an impact player in Week 1, and create an opportunity for him to be a stud for them as he reaches his full potential when at 100 percent."

This would be a big development. If the Browns picked Gurley and Parker, it would, at least on paper, take the offense to a new level. It would also leave the futures of Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell in doubt. You would have to think one of those two would be the odd man out once Gurley is 100 percent.

Hey, if you're not going to make a move for quarterback, go big elsewhere.

More Browns links

Marcus Mariota keys: Five things you must understand about QB (NFL.com)

What Sam Bradford trade rumors, trust comments mean for Johnny Manziel (ESPN.com)

NFL Draft Needs: Browns (Yahoo! Sports)

Cleveland Browns Draft Countdown: Making the Case for WR DeVante Parker (Bleacher Report)

Deer hunters will bag fewer bucks and does this year because of changes in the county bag limits and limiting the use of discount antlerless permits.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio wildlife managers tinkered with the deer hunting season dates to try to soothe unhappy Buckeye hunters, but not much changed when the 2015-16 seasons were approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday night.

It's likely Ohio hunters will bag fewer bucks and does this year, in most part due to changes in the county bag limits and the extremely limited use of discount antlerless permits. The Ohio deer harvest declined 6.5 percent last year, when hunters killed 191,459 deer, and was far below the record 261,260 deer killed in 2009-10.

Hunters testifying at the Ohio Deer Summit and Ohio Division of Wildlife open houses were generally unhappy, complaining of a continually shrinking deer herd and fewer hunting opportunities. The Ohio Division of Wildlife management strategy, however, is to continue the decline in deer numbers in favor of a smaller, quality deer herd.

"Hunters always want to see a lot of deer in the woods, but there's a cost associated with that," said Dave Kohler, executive administrator for wildlife management and research with the ODOW. "With the Ohio deer population as high as it was five years ago, we had a combination of more deer on the landscape with less nutrition available."

Liberal hunting regulations had allowed the deer harvest to jump to record levels, resulting in a decline in the number of deer killed the last few years and today's smaller deer herd.

This year's deer gun season is Nov. 30-Dec. 6, with an extra couple of weekdays of gun hunting added Dec. 28-29. The archery deer season is Sept. 26-Feb. 7, the longest bow hunting season in the country.

The ODOW had proposed an October youth gun season, but backed off to Nov. 21-22 after complaints it was too early in the hunting year. The statewide muzzleloader rifle season was pushed back to Jan. 9-12 to allow more time between gun and muzzleloader hunts.

The majority of Ohio counties will have a season bag limit of just two deer. Most counties in northeast Ohio will have a three-deer limit. The only counties with bag limits of four deer will be in urban areas, including Cuyahoga and Summit counties. Hunters are allowed to bag only one buck each year.

Antlerless permits are valid in only 10 of Ohio's 88 counties this fall. That includes Cuyahoga, Lake, Summit, Portage, Stark and Lorain counties.

"The county bag limits and the use of antlerless permits are the tools we use to manage the deer herd," said Kohler. "The season dates, like the extra two-day gun hunt and the muzzleloader hunt, are social issues. We changed those dates in response to what works best for the people who hunt."

The OWC also approved the small game hunting seasons, which are mostly the same as last year. The squirrel, mourning dove and early Canada goose seasons begin Sept. 1, with ruffed grouse and woodcock starting Oct. 10. Rabbit, pheasant and quail begin Nov. 6. The fall wild turkey season begins Oct. 10, a couple of days earlier than originally scheduled.

The hunting and trapping seasons for fox and raccoon begin Nov. 10. Beaver and river otter trapping begins Dec. 26. All of the hunting dates are included in the Outdoor Calendar at cleveland.com/outdoors.

The county-by-county bag limits have changed for the 2015-2016 Ohio deer hunting seasons.Ohio Division of Wildlife 

Castapalooza on the Grand: The Grand River will be rocking and rolling on Saturday after the big rains, but that won't matter to Jerry Darkes and the fly fishing experts featured at the fifth-annual Castapalooza! celebration of all things fly-fishing.

"Castapalooza is not about fishing," said Darkes. "It's about expert advice on fly casting techniques, checking out new and different fly rods and learning to tie new flies. It's free, and we'll all be around from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Grand River at the Lake Metroparks Hidden Valley Reservation (off Route 528 in Madison Township)."

The impressive lineup includes New York's Rick Kustich on spey casting; George McCabe on single-handed distance casting; master fly tier Greg Senyo; Jeff Liskay on swinging flies for trout; and Will Turek of Midwest Spey.

Mad Hatters to paddle: Luckily for the river runners, the Grand River will have time to settle down before the annual Grand River Canoe & Kayak Race on April 18. Paddlers registering online through Monday at lakemetroparks.com can save $8 on the entry fee.  

The 81/2-mile race on the wild and scenic Grand River begins at the Harpersfield Dam covered bridge and finishes at Hidden Valley Park in Madison Township. Many paddlers compete in the Maddest Hat Contest for the most unusual headgear.

Holy Mackerel tackle sale: The largest sale of used fishing tackle each year is the Holy Mackerel Fishing Tackle Flea Market on April 16-19 at the New Russian Township Hall, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd., Oberlin. Mike Wohlever has almost an acre of angling stuff, and admission and parking are free. Show hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tournaments hit the water: Tournament fishermen will kick off the season this weekend, with the Lake Erie Walleye Trail having its weigh-in Saturday at Magee East Marina. An Ohio Walleye Federation event is Sunday at Mosquito Reservoir, where the Walleye Madness Tournaments begin April 26.

The Student Angler Federation of Ohio Bass Federation for high school tournament anglers has a tournament Saturday at the Portage Lakes. Sponsored by Vic's Sports Center in Kent, it leads to the SAF state championship May 9 at Alum Creek Reservoir.

The Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament launches at Mogadore Reservoir on Saturday; an X-Series Bass Tournament is at Portage Lakes on Sunday; and a Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament is April 18 at Mosquito.

The 5th annual Castapalooza celebration of all things fly fishing will set up on the banks of the Grand River in Madison on Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Outdoors Calendar for April 10.

April 10: Archery for Kids, 12:30-2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park/Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Participants aged 9-12 can learn international-style archery at traveling indoor range. Equipment, instruction provided. Advanced registration required starting March 31. Call 330-865-8065.

April 11: Deadline for full registration for the Lake Erie Fish Crazy Walleye Derby, Lake Erie. Derby runs from May 3 through June 27. Entry $50, $55 online. Derby registration deadline for full derby is April 11. All competing anglers on a boat must be registered for the derby. One-day registration is $25. For rules, information visit lakeeriewalleyederby.com. Weekly, monthly and overall winners.

April 11: Castapalooza 2015, A Celebration of All Things Fly Fishing, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Lake Metroparks Hidden Valley Reservation, 4872 Klasen Rd., Madison. Free fly fishing seminars, demonstrations, games and prizes. For details visit: acs-thefishdog.blogspot.com

April 11: Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club Trout Derby, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. Anglers 15 and younger each receive a $1 cash prize if they catch a tagged fish. Bring fishing gear. Minnows cannot be used as bait; worms will be available for purchase. Adults are not permitted to fish. Sponsored by the Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. For information, call 330-865-8065.

April 11: Lake Erie Walleye Trail hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Magee East Marina and Campground, Port Clinton. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

April 11: Youth drawing for wild turkey turkey hunts in refuge portion of the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. Drawing at East Holmes Sportsmen's Club, Township Road 310, 2.5 miles south of Millersburg. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Hunt dates are Saturday-Sunday only between April 18-May 17 for hunters 17 and younger. Must have valid 2015 hunting license. For information call Division of Wildlife, 330-644-2293.

April 11: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

April 11: Killbuck Valley Chapter Hunters Night Out, Whitetails Unlimited, Buckeye Event Center, 624 Henry St., Dalton. Dinner, raffles, door prizes. Tickets $35. Featuring Travis "T-Bone" Turner and Nick Mundt, hosts of the Bone Collector and Realtree Roadtrips television shows. For information, tickets visit whitetailsunlimited.com.

April 11-12: 3-D Archery Turkey Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

April 12: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, Kick-Off at the Lakes, new state park ramp, Portage Lakes. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

April 12: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

April 12: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit, two-angler teams, Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

April 15: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

April 16: Trophy Brook Trout and Arctic Char Fishing in Canada with Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec of the Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders meeting, free and open to the public, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Buffalo Wildlife Wings, 8465 Pearl Rd., Strongsville.

April 16-19: Holy Mackerel Fishing Tackle Flea Market, New Russian Township Hall, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd., Oberlin (north of Oberlin and west of Ohio 58). Free admission and parking. Show hours: Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For information call Mike Wohlever, 440-988-9264 or 440-213-6396.

April 17: Archery Games for Adults, Friday, 6:30-8 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 18 and older will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required starting March 31. Call 330-865-8065.

April 18: Chagrin River Clean-Up, 9 a.m., Chagrin River Salmon Association, Erie Rd., Eastlake. Glove, bags and lunch provided. Call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

April 18: Grand River Canoe & Kayak Race, Harpersfield Dam in Ashtabula County to Hidden Valley Park in Madison on the wild and scenic Grand River. Races begin at 8 a.m. Featured is the annual Mad Hatter Contest. Pre-registration required. Call 440-358-7275 or 1-800-669-9226.

April 18: Archery Games for Kids, 10-11:30 a.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 9-12 will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required starting March 31. Call 330-865-8065.

April 18: Archery Games for Teens, Friday, 12:30-2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 9-12 will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required starting March 31. Call 330-865-8065.

April 18: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, Mosquito Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

April 18: King Kat Tournament Trail, Ohio and Muskingum rivers at Marietta. Pre-register at kingkatusa.com or 270-395-6774. Late registration April 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Microtel Inn & Suites, Marietta. Weigh-in at Indian Acres Park Boat Ramp, 146 Linwood Ave., Marietta. Free Kids Fishing Rodeo 9-11 a.m., Buckeye park pond, West Fay St., Marietta.

April 22: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

April 24: 2^nd annual Tinker's Creek Freedom Dinner, Tinker's Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, The Venue South, Days Inn, 4742 Brecksville Rd., Richfield. Featuring dinner, raffles, game and Travis "T-Bone" Turner of the Bone Collectors television show. Call Matt McCann, 330-467-1729 or visit whitetailsunlimited.com. Tickets $50, spouse or child $30.

April 24: Archery Games for Adults, 6:30-8 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 18 and older will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required starting March 31. Call 330-865-8065.

April 25: 36^th annual Trout Club Banquet and Auction, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, Cleveland. Fishing exhibits, raffles and auction. For information contact Karen Menn, 216-231-4600 (Ext. 3278) or go to cmnh.org.

April 25: Lake Erie Walleye Trail hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Lakevue Marina, Marblehead. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

April 25: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, lake TBA. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

April 25: Archery Games for Kids at 10-11:30 a.m.; Archery Games for Teens, 12:30-2 p.m. Kids 9-12 and teens 13-17 will play different games to build archery skills. Kids must be 50 inches or taller. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required starting April 14. Call 330-865-8065.

April 25-26: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

April 26: Electric Elite Invitational Spring Open Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com. Tournament was originally scheduled for March 28.

April 26: Walleye Madness Tournament, Mosquito Reservoir. Two-angler teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

April 29: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

April 30: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., Erie Rd., Eastlake. New members welcome. Call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

May 1-3: Lake and Trails Fishing Camp, FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton. For information visit lakeandtrails.org

May 2: 15^th annual Trumbull County Sportsmen's Gun Raffle featuring more than 60 firearms. Yankee Lake Ballroom, Yankee Lake, Ohio. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $20. Lunch available from noon-3 p.m. For tickets call Joe (330-782-0958) or Jerry (330-847-6259).

May 1-3: Lake and Trails Youth Fishing Camp hosted by the Lake and Trails Organization, FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton. For kids 9-17 years old and accompanied by an adult. Fee for weekend, room and board is $75 per youth, $85 for adults. Registrations open Feb. 15. Visit lakeandtrails.org or contact President Karen Metzker, Karen @lakeandtrails.org.

May 2-3: Mosquito Madness X Bass Tournament, Mosquito Reservoir. Field of 100 teams is full. Waiting list available. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 3: Lake Erie Fish Crazy Walleye Derby, Lake Erie. Derby runs through June 27. Entry $50, $55 online. Derby registration deadline for full derby is April 11. All competing anglers on a boat must be registered for the derby. One-day registration is $25. For rules information visit lakeeriewalleyederby.com. Weekly, monthly and overall winners.

May 3: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit, two-angler teams, Pymatuning Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

May 3: Veterans Memorial 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. All veterans shoot free. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

May 5: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

May 6: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 9: Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club Special Needs Children's and Adults Trout Derby, 9 - 2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. Wheelchair accessible. Bring fishing gear. Minnows cannot be used as bait; worms will be available for purchase. Adults are not permitted to fish. Sponsored by the Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. For information, call 330-865-8065.

May 9: 2015 Buckeye Bamboo Bash, Mohican Fly Fishers of Ohio, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., American Legion Pavilion on the Clear Fork River, state routes 97 and 13, Bellville, Ohio. Show, buy or sell bamboo fly fishing rods. For information visit mohicanflyfisheersofohio.com or call 419-566-4002.

May 9: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Walborn Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 9-10: 3-D Archery Swap & Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

May 16: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 16: Lake Erie Walleye Trail hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Shelby Street Boat Launch, Sandusky. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

May 16: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Grand Lake St. Marys, West Bank Ramp, Celina. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

May 16: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit, two-angler teams, Berlin Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

May 16-17: Cleveland Metroparks Children's Spring Fishing Derbies - May 16 at Wallace Lake, Mill Stream Reservation, Berea; May 17 at Ohio & Erie Canal reservation, Cuyahoga Heights. Fishing sessions both days for kids 4-8 from 9 a.m.-noon and for kids 9-15 from 1-4 p.m. Loaner rods, bait available. For information visit clevelandmetroparks.com

May 17: Fly Fishing from a Kayak Symposium, Firelands Fly Fishers at Lakeview Park, Lorain, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

May 17: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Spring Sting, state park ramp, Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

May 17: Walleye Madness Tournament, Berlin Reservoir. Two-anglers teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

May 20: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 23-24: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

May 27: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 30: Mahoning Valley United Way Bass Classic, Evans Lake and Pine Lake. Pro-Am two-angler teams. Hosted by Muransky Companies. Visit ymvunitedway.org/bass-classic or call Jack Wollitz, 330-716-0731.

May 30: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Deer Creek Lake. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 30-31: 3-D Archery Camp Out Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

May 30-31: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

June 2: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

June 6: Walleye Madness Tournament, Lake Erie at Cleveland Metroparks Wildwood Launch Ramp. Two-anglers teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

June 6: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, Berlin Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

June 6-7: Lake Erie Walleye Trail Championship hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Huron City Boat Launch, Huron. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

June 7: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

June 7: Electric Elite Invitational Summer Open Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

June 13: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

June 13-14: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit Championship, two-angler teams. Day One at Lake Milton; Day Two at Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

June 13-14: 3-D Native American Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

June 27: Warm Water Conclave of the Ohio Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., American Legion Pavilion on the Clear Fork River, state routes 97 and 13, Bellville, Ohio. Fly fishing seminars, raffles and displays. Admission $5, families $10. For information visit mohicanflyfisheersofohio.com or call 419-566-4002.

June 27: Walleye Madness Tournament, Lake Erie at Geneva State Park Ramp. Two-anglers teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

June 27: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Ohio River at Maysville River Park, Maysville, Kentucky. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

June 27-28: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

June 28: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Smallmouth Slam, Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

July 5: Four-Man Team 3-D Archery Shoot, Blind Draw, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

July 7: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

July 11: Ohio Walleye Federation Open Tournament, Lake Erie at Geneva. OWF membership not needed. For information visit fishowf.com.

July 11: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

July 11: FLW College Fishing - Northern Division, Indian Lake at Indian Lake State park, Lakeview, Ohio. For information visit collegefishing.com.

July 11-12: 3-D Archery Cook Out-Shoot Out Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

July 18: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, Mosquito Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

July 18: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Ohio River at Tanners Creek Ramp, Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

July 19: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Rumble on the River, Black River Ramp, Lorain. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

July 25: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

July 25-26: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

July 31: Youth Fishing Day, south Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, North Royalton.

Aug. 2: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

Aug. 2: Northern Open Anglers Association Super NOAA bass tournament, Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Aug. 4: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Aug. 8: Ohio Walleye Cup points tournament, Ohio Walleye Federation, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Ashtabula. For information visit fishowf.com.

Aug. 8: Fly Casting Seminar, noon-5 p.m., Lake Erie Waterfest, Miller Road Park, Avon Lake.

Aug. 8-9: 3-D African Safari Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 9: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Cortland Lake Challenge, state park ramp, Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

Aug. 15: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Aug. 15: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Ohio River at Maysville River Park, Maysville, Kentucky. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Aug. 22: Ohio Walleye Cup points tournament, Ohio Walleye Federation, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Ashtabula. For information visit fishowf.com.

Aug. 22-23: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 27-29: Rayovac FLW Series Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Northern Division, Lake Erie at Shelby Street Boat Launch, Sandusky. For information visit flwfishing.com.

Aug. 29: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, West Branch Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Aug. 29-30: 3-D Dog Days Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 29-30: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 1: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Sept. 6: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

Sept. 12: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Sept. 12-13: 3-D Deer Archery Shoot and Corn Roast, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Sept. 19-20: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 19-20: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Indian Lake, Indian Lake State Park, Lakeview. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Sept. 19-20: The X-Series Bass Tournaments Championship presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Long Point Shootout, Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

Sept. 20: Bowhunter Warmup 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

Sept. 24-26: Bassmaster Northern Open, Lake Erie at Sandusky. Weigh-ins on first two days at Shelby Street Public Boat Launch in Sandusky at 3 p.m. Final-day weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop, Rossford, Ohio. For information visit the Bass anglers Sportsman Society at bassmaster.com.

Sept. 26: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Sept. 27: KSU LaDO Bass Series Championship, LaDue Reservoir. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Oct. 1-4: Lake and Trails Youth Outdoor Camp hosted by the Lake and Trails Organization, FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton. Registration opens July 15. Visit lakeandtrails.org or contact President Karen Metzker, Karen@lakeandtrails.org.

Oct. 6: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Oct. 11: Electric Elite Invitational Fall Open Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Oct. 22-24: Cabela's MWC World Walleye Championship, Masters Walleye Circuit, Huron City Ramp, Huron. For information visit masterswalleyecircuit.com.

Nov. 3: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Dec. 1: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

2015-2016 HUNTING SEASONS

• Youth Turkey: April 18-19
• Spring Turkey: April 20-May 17
• Mourning Dove: Sept. 1 -TBA
• Squirrel: Sept. 1 -Jan. 31
• Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 10-Jan. 31
• Woodcock: Oct. 10-TBA
• Youth Small Game: Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1
• Cottontail Rabbit: Nov. 6-Feb. 29
• Pheasant: Nov. 6-Jan. 10
• Bobwhite Quail: Nov. 6-Nov. 29
• Fox, raccoon: Nov. 10-Jan. 31
• Fall wild turkey: Oct. 10-Nov. 29
• Coyote and wild boar: No closed season
• Groundhog: Closed only during deer gun season.

2015-2016 DEER SEASONS

• Archery: Sept. 26-Feb. 7
• Youth Gun Season: Nov. 21-22
• Gun Season: Nov. 30-Dec. 6 and Dec. 28-29
• Muzzleloader Season: Jan. 9-12, 2016

SPRING 2016 SEASONS

• Youth Turkey: April 16-17, 2016
• Spring Turkey: April 18-May 15, 2016

The Panthers won just three games last season.

EUCLID, Ohio -- After two seasons, Euclid boys basketball coach Gary Hicks has resigned as the team's head coach. The news was first reported by Alex Hooper of The News-Herald.

Hicks' team won just three games in his second season and was lost in the sectional semifinal to Warren G. Harding in this year's postseason. The athletic department could not be reached for comment.

The Panthers had an up-and-down regular season in Hicks' first season, but they went on a deep playoff run before falling to Shaker Heights in a 2014 district final.

Prior to coaching at Euclid, Hicks was the head women's basketball coach at Lakeland Community College. This was the first high school head coaching job he had.

Now Euclid will be looking for its third coach in four seasons. Prior to Hicks, the contract of former head coach Greg James was not renewed by the school.

Euclid played in the Lake Erie League during Hicks' tenure, but it will move to the brand new Greater Cleveland Conference for the 2015-16 season.

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

The Indians threw a 163-pitch one-hitter Thursday in a 5-1 victory over Houston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Trevor Bauer struck out a career-high 11 in six no-hit innings as the Indians defeated the Astros, 5-1, Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Here is a capsule look at the game after a dvr review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Series stuff: The Indians won their first series of the season, 2-1.

Oh-so-close: The Tribe held Houston hitless for 8 1/3 innings.

Lefty Kyle Crockett and righty Scott Atchison worked the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Lefty Nick Hagadone retired the first Astro in the ninth before Jed Lowrie belted an 0-1 fastball over the wall in left-center. Hagadone retired the next two.

The combined line of Bauer, Crockett, Atchison and Hagadone:

9 IP, H, R, ER, 7 BB, 16 K, HR (163P/99S)

Think about that: The Indians threw a 163-pitch one-hitter.

Wild thrill ride: Bauer walked five and needed 111 pitches to get his 18 outs. He threw 46 balls.

In the first two innings combined, Bauer faced 10 batters, walked four and threw 54 pitches -- 26 of which were balls.

Bauer steadily improved. From the final batter of the second inning through the fifth, he retired 10 in a row.

Bauer and catcher Roberto Perez kept the Astros guessing all afternoon as to which of Bauer's half-dozen pitches was coming. The entire repertoire featured late life and few pitches ended in the middle of the zone. Granted, it is only one start, and the opponent was the DisAstros, but....Bauer's fastball moved more Thursday than it did in any of his MLB starts last season.

Of the seven balls put in play against Bauer, one was hit even remotely hard. It was the only one to reach the outfield.

Below is a breakdown of every Bauer pitch by Fox SportsTime Ohio speed. The reason the type of pitch is not listed each time is because Bauer's off-speed stuff (primarily: slider, backup slider, curve, splitter, changeup, cutter) can be extremely difficult to distinguish -- even after multiple slo-mo replays. For every set of five pitches, one or two are questionable. And guessing simply to fill holes defeats the purpose.

(Yes, select websites claim to know exactly what Bauer threw each pitch based on speed and break...but they don't know for certain unless Bauer, himself, signs off on the chart. Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco? Fairly easy to tell. Bauer? Not so much.)  

This much is a virtual lock: Anything over 90 mph from Bauer was a fastball, and his money off-speed pitches were various forms of the slider. Fortunately, all of the strikeout off-speed pitches were identifiable.

(R) Jose Altuve -- 92 ball, 92 ball, 92 called strike, 92 foul, 84 ball (just missed down and away), 94 walk.

(R) George Springer -- 83 called strike, 84 called strike, 93 walk, 86 ball (Altuve steals second), 77 ball, 86 swinging strikeout (backup slider).

(L) Luis Valbuena -- 95 ball, 93 ball, 94 ball, 94 called strike, 94 foul, 94 walk.

(R) Evan Gattis -- 86 ball, 86 swinging strike, 93 swinging strike, 93 swinging strikeout (fastball up).

(R) Chris Carter -- 85 swinging strike, 84 swinging strike, 93 ball, 94 swinging strikeout (fastball up).

Skinny: Bauer struggled with fastball control (7 of 16 for strikes) and control overall (13 of 26). But the fastball got him two strikeouts against hitters who hunt that pitch and can do damage if it doesn't ride above the belt. Bauer had a good feel for the slider and changeup.

SECOND INNING

(L) Jed Lowrie -- fastball ball, 92 foul, 92 ball, 85 foul, 87 swinging strikeout (splitter in dirt).

(L) Colby Rasmus -- 93 foul, 92 ball, 85 ball, 86 swinging strike, 93 called strikeout (comeback fastball on inside corner).

(L) Hank Conger -- 93 ball, 85 called strike, 93 foul, 77 curve, 77 foul, 94 ball, 94 foul, 85 foul, 89 walk.

(L) Robbie Grossman -- 93 ball, 85 swinging strike, 93 ball, 86 foul, 94 ball, 86 walk.

(Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway visits mound.)

(R) Jose Altuve --  85 called strike, 94 ball, 85 pop to second.

Skinny: Bauer continued to struggle with fastball control (5 of 14 for strikes) and control overall (15 of 28). His off-speed assortment came to the rescue again. The Astros wanted plate umpire Scott Berry to check with third-base umpire Angel Hernandez as to whether Lowrie checked his swing. Barry was correct, though: Lowrie went too far. 

THIRD INNING

(R) George Springer -- 92 foul, 83 called strike, 77 ball, 92 called strikeout (comeback fastball over outside corner at the knees).

(L) Luis Valbuena -- 85 ball, 93 foul, 84 foul, 93 foul, 88 ball, 93 foul, 87 ball, 96 fly to center.

(R) Evan Gattis -- 85 ball, 94 swinging strike, 94 ball, 86 swinging strike, 94 called strikeout (comeback fastball over middle).

Skinny: Bauer improved fastball control (eight of nine for strikes) and control overall (11 of 17). As he began to get a feel for the fastball, changing speeds became more of a weapon. He did not throw two pitches in a row the same speed until Gattis. He got away with a 2-2 fastball over the plate to Gattis because Gattis guessed off-speed. 

FOURTH INNING

(R) Chris Carter -- 93 ball, 84 swinging strike, 83 swinging strike, 92 called strikeout (comeback fastball over outside corner).

(L) Jed Lowrie -- 93 foul, 94 ball, 86 grounder to first.

(L) Colby Rasmus -- 86 foul, 86 ball, 93 foul, 87 called strikeout (front-door splitter).

Skinny: Bauer needed 11 pitches, eight of which were strikes. The strikeout pitch to Rasmus amounted to creativity and execution at its finest.

FIFTH INNING

(L) Hank Conger -- 86 foul pop to catcher.

(L) Robbie Grossman -- 86 ball, 92 foul, 92 ball, 83 foul, 77 called strikeout (curve on outside corner).

(R) Jose Altuve -- 93 called strike, 93 pop to second.

Skinny: Bauer threw six of eight pitches for strikes. The strikeout pitch to Grossman was wicked. Altuve was jammed.

SIXTH INNING

(R) George Springer -- fastball ball, 92 ball, 84 foul, 82 foul, 95 ball, 94 walk.

(L) Luis Valbuena -- 93 foul, 85 swinging strike, 86 ball, 79 curve, 93 foul, 94 foul, 87 ball, 94 pop to second.

(R) Evan Gattis -- 94 called strike, 84 ball, 84 called strike, 80 swinging strikeout (curve in dirt).

(R) Chris Carter -- 94 foul, 93 ball, 86 grounder to short.

Skinny: Bauer threw 12 of 21 pitches for strikes. Springer had a good AB and Valbuena made Bauer work. Bauer worked over Gattis -- but so did every Indians pitcher. Gattis finished the series at 0-for-11; his final eight ABs were strikeouts. 

Manager Terry Francona said he was trying to set up his pitching staff for the weeks to come rather than trying to pull out all the stops to get a no-hitter Thursday against the Astros. Watch video

HOUSTON -- Manager Terry Francona said the Indians' first potential no-hitter in 34 years was not on his mind when he sent left-hander Nick Hagadone to the mound in the ninth inning Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.

He said he turned to bench coach Brad Mills and said, "If we get through this with a no-hitter are we supposed to be excited? I wasn't really sure.

"There were a lot of baserunners. (The no-hitter) was probably the least of our thoughts. No, we were just trying to set up our staff and win a game and do what we thought was right."

Hagadone was almost perfect in spring training. He allowed one hit and one walk in 8 1/3 innings of Cactus League play.

But he struggled in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Houston, facing two batters in the seventh and not recording an out. On Thursday, he didn't really struggle; he just gave up a hit at the wrong time with the weight of the first combined no-hitter in franchise history resting on his shoulders.

Hagadone opened the ninth with a strikeout of Chris Carter. Jed Lowrie, however, lined his 0-1 pitch over the wall in left center to end the no-hitter.

"He swung and missed the first fastball," said Hagadone. "I tried to throw another fastball and he swung and didn't miss it."

Hagadone retired the next two batters to secure the Indians' 5-1 victory, but it was easy to see losing the no-hitter did not sit well with the 6-5 left-hander.

"Everyone was aware of the situation," said Hagadone. "I was thinking, "Get everybody out.' It was 5-0. I know there was a no-hitter at stake, but it was just another game."

As for not closing it out, he said, "There's always frustration."

So why didn't Francona go with Allen or Shaw?

"We wanted Hags to get back on the horse," said Francona. "We wanted him to get back out there after Wednesday's outing.

"We're going to lean on Hags and we want to get him going and feeling good about himself. It would have been easy to go to Shaw or Cody, but with all the switch-hitters (three) they had coming up, we felt it was a good time to go to Hags."

The Indians consider Hagadone capable of getting left and right-handed hitters out.

This was far from a pitching masterpiece. Starter Trevor Bauer walked four of the first nine batters he faced. The other five, he struck out.

Kyle Crockett and Scott Atchison, who pitched the seventh and eighth innings, each walked a batter. The closest Houston came to a hit before the ninth was Luis Valbuena's one-out drive to the track in right field that Brandon Moss caught.

So as ugly as it was, the no-hitter was still intact in the ninth. It would have been the first by the Indians since Lenny Barker's perfect game against Toronto May 15, 1981.

Bauer struck out a career-high 11 batters in six innings. He was pushing 45 pitches two outs into the second, so going deep into the game was out of the question. When Francona went to the bullpen to start the seventh, Bauer had thrown 111 pitches, 65 for strikes.

"I definitely understand it," said Bauer of being replaced after six innings. "It's my first start of the season."

In the three-game series against Houston, the starting rotation went 2-1 with a 0.92 ERA. Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Bauer allowed a combined two earned runs with 28 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

Bauer is 2-0 in two career starts against the Astros. He has 20 strikeouts and has not allowed a run in 12 innings. Three of Thursday's strikeouts came against DH Evan Gattis, the Astros' new cleanup hitter, who struck out eight straight times in the last two games.

"Bauer had everything working," said center fielder Colby Rasmus. "He was kind of effectively wild throwing the ball everywhere. He was running seven or eight (different) pitches up there."

After being held to two runs in the first two games of the season, the Indians scored five Thursday. Roberto Perez and Jose Ramirez homered, but DH Yan Gomes scored the most enjoyable run.

Gomes was on second after a leadoff double in the second. There were two out when Perez singled sharply to right. George Springer's throw to catcher Hank Conger beat Gomes to the plate, but when Conger leaned to the outside part the plate in anticipation of Gomes' arrival, Gomes slid inside and touched the plate with his right foot.

"My parents were watching and they texted me and said, "Those were your Brazilian (soccer) skills coming out," said Gomes. "I saw him going one way and tried to go the other. I got really dirty and it looked cool."

Gomes was the first Brazilian player to make the big leagues.

See the Players of the Week for April 9, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are the cleveland.com Players of the Week for April 9, 2015. Players of the Week win a free SAT or ACT class with College Review. Call 216-831-2557 or visit collegereview.org online.

Scroll to the bottom for information on how coaches can nominate an athlete for this honor. Also see below for a poll asking which athlete had the most impressive week.

Players of the Week are awarded every week in the regular season. Look for the feature Thursdays on cleveland.com and Fridays in The Plain Dealer.

BASEBALL

Name: Tyler Kennedy.

School: Chagrin Falls.

Year: Senior.

Position: Pitcher/first baseman.

Height, weight: 6-1, 210.

College: Undecided.

What Tyler did last week: He started two games and went 1-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 14 strikeouts. Was also dominant at the plate, as he hit .500 with six runs, five walks and three doubles.

Three Questions with Tyler

Q: Who is your favorite baseball player?

A: “My favorite baseball player to watch is Mike Trout because he is an energetic player who always makes outstanding plays and he plays with such enthusiasm.”

Q: How did you get into the game of baseball?

A: “I got involved with baseball because my dad played when he was younger and went and played baseball at Iowa. Ever since I was little, I wanted to play baseball and be as good, if not better than him.”

Q: If there were one baseball diamond you could play on, where would it be?

A: “One stadium that I would love to play in would have to be Progressive Field, because the stadium is so nice and it has always been a dream of mine to play at a Major League field.”

- Mark Kern

BOYS LACROSSE

Name: Trevor Bielozer.

School: Westlake.

Year: Sophomore.

Position: Goaltender.

Height, weight: 5-8, 185.

College: Undecided.

What Trevor did last week: Registered 66 percent save percentage in his first two career starts. In debut, had 10 saves in a 10-4 loss against sixth-ranked Toledo St. Francis de Sales, which included eight penalties against his team. Rebounded with 13 saves in 5-2 victory over St. Edward. 

Three Questions with Trevor

Q: You started playing lacrosse last season. Why?

A: "It seemed like it would be fun to be with my friends and see what I could do on the field. I play football and was looking to get in shape for it and it turned out to be a real fun sport."

Q: What led you to start playing goaltender, the game's most challenging position?

A: "In the Orange game our goalie went down with a broken thumb. I volunteered. I knew someone needed to step up and I wasn't afraid to get hit by the ball. I like it because it helps the team. And after each save you feel very successful.”

Q: How was your spring break?

A: “I’ve been doing two-a-days for lacrosse and really trying to get better.”

- Kristen Davis

BOYS TRACK

Name: Anthony Diaz.

School: John F. Kennedy.

Year: Junior.

Height, weight: 5-11, 165.

College: Undecided.

What Anthony did last week: At the Maralyn West Invitational at Collinwood, Diaz won 200 meters in 22.76 seconds. Ran in 4x200 relay, the 4x100 and 4x400, each of which finished second.

Three Questions with Anthony

Q: How pleased are you with your performance in the first meet of the season?

A: “I'm satisfied. I could've run better, though. But I still came in first and second place.”

Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals?

A: “I pray every track meet. I usually pray, 'I love you.' It goes toward God and my father, right when I get in the blocks. And I let out a breath.”

Q: What's your favorite subject in school?

A: “Science. I just enjoy working with chemistry and anything of that matter.”

- Tim Bielik

GIRLS TRACK

Name: Asya Reynolds.

School: Brush.

Year: Senior.

Height: 5-11.

College: Undecided.

What Asya did last week: At the Bill Dodd Invitational in Parma, Reynolds won four events and set new meet records in all four events. Swept hurdle events, winning the 100 hurdles (16.23 seconds) and the 300 hurdles (48.44). Reynolds also won in the long jump (17 feet, six inches) and high jump (5-2).

Three Questions with Asya

Q: How would you describe your performance at the Bill Dodd Invitational?

A: “I'm pretty happy. I (performed better) than last year, I believe. And it was really cold. So those were pretty good times for me in the cold.”

Q: How much did the experience of placing at state help prepare you for this season?

A: “Just the taste of being on the podium made me very excited for this year because I know I can get up higher and get on the podium in more than one thing. So I'm less nervous now that I know how to compete a lot better for this year.”

Q: You run in both hurdles events. How difficult is it competing in the hurdles?

A: “The technique is really hard. I'm still getting the hang of it. But I basically was just a natural at it. When I first hurdled, I thought, 'I could get used to this.' I just feel like if I can put in extra time with the technique, I'll be just fine with it.”

- Tim Bielik

How to nominate an athlete for Players of the Week: Players of the Week are chosen every week in the regular season. Coaches can nominate an athlete anytime between the end of all games in a week and Monday at noon. Go to cleveland.com/potw to access the nomination form. Fill in all the blanks, especially the part on what the athlete did that week. Again, the deadline is Monday at noon. Only coaches can nominate an athlete.

The Indians were two outs away from the 15th no-hitter in franchise history when Jed Lowrie homered with one out in the ninth. The Indians won the game, 5-1.

HOUSTON -- The Indians were two outs away from the first combined no-hitter in franchise history Thursday when Jed Lowrie ruined it with a long homer to left field with one out in the ninth inning.

So instead of a history-making event, the Indians settled for ordinary regular-season victory as they beat Houston, 5-1, at Minute Maid Park.

Trevor Bauer, Kyle Crockett and Scott Atchison held the Astros hitless through eight innings. Hagadone started the ninth by striking out Chris Carter, but Lowrie hammered Hagadone's 0-1 pitch far and deep to left center.

It would have been first no-hitter by the Indians since Lenny Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981 against Toronto. By far, it would have been the most unique.

Bauer walked one batter and struck out 26 in spring training as he worked hard to throw more strikes. To throw so many strikes, he had to leave a lot of balls over the plate and that resulted in 35 hits by the opposition. Those hits included three homers in succession by the Angels and four triples in one inning by the Giants.

So what happened in Bauer's first start of the regular season? He walked four of the first nine batters he faced, but didn't allow a hit or run over six innings until manager Terry Francona removed him because he threw 111 pitches. He struck out a career-high 11 batters, walking five.

He threw only 59 percent (65-of-111) of his pitches for strikes.

Bauer settled in after his rocky start. At one point, he retired 10 straight before walking George Springer to start the sixth. By that time the Indians had a 4-0 lead.

Crockett pitched a scoreless seventh, his only flaw being a two-out walk to Hank Conger.

Atchison pitched the eighth. He walked Springer with one out and was saved by Brandon Moss' nice running catch in deep right against Luis Valbuena.

Little big man (Indians version)

Houston's Jose Altuve stands 5-6 and does a little bit of everything for the Astros. Last year he set a club record for hits on the way to winning the AL batting title.

Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez isn't much taller at 5-9, but he did a variety of things for the Tribe on Thursday.

After Michael Bourn opened the game with a double, Ramirez moved him to third with a bunt single. Jason Kipnis delivered Bourn with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead and Ramirez followed with a steal of second and continued to third on a throwing error by catcher Hank Conger.

Ramirez didn't score, but he opened the fifth with a homer to right for a 4-0 lead. It was his second big-league home run.

He drew a leadoff walk and stole second in the seventh. Ramirez took third on a groundout and scored with a head-first slide on Carlos Santana's chopper to first. 

Great slide

Yan Gomes scored from second for a 2-0 lead on Roberto Perez's two-out single to right in the second. George Springer's throw beat Gomes to the plate and Conger secured the ball in plenty of time, but while Conger anticipated Gomes going to the outside part of the plate, Gomes slid inside and was safe.

Conger got caught leaning the wrong way. That's right, Conger zigged, while Gomes zagged.

No.9, No.9, No.9

For the second straight day, the Indians received a home run out of the No.9 spot in the order. Mike Aviles hit one Wednesday night to start the eighth. Perez hit a long drive to left center with two out in the fourth on Thursday.

With Detroit starting lefties Saturday (David Price) and Sunday (Kyle Lobstein), look for Perez to be behind the plate and Gomes to DH so the Indians can balance the lineup.

Instant replay

Houston manager A.J. Hinch challenged the out call on Chris Carter to end the sixth inning. He felt Carlos Santana's foot came off the bag early.

Hinch lost the challenge.

What's next?

The Indians will play the home opener Friday at 4:10 p.m. with Zach McAllister facing Detroit's Alfredo Simon at Progressive Field. SportsTime Ohio and WKYC-TV will carry the game as well WTAM.

Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, one of four Indians to win the Cy Young award, will throw out the first pitch. Corey Kluber, who won the Cy Young last year, will officially receive his award before Thursday's game.

Check out all the activity at Progressive Field before the Cleveland Indians home opener against the Detroit Tigers, April 10, 2015.

Check out all the activity at Progressive Field before the Cleveland Indians home opener against the Detroit Tigers, April 10, 2015.

Cleveland State students vote overwhelmingly in favor of referendum to fund the wrestling program.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State students voted overwhelmingly in favor of a referendum to fund the CSU wrestling team and add a women's sport with an additional student fee.

The non-binding referendum passed with 967 yes votes out of 1,089 cast, wrestling coach Ben Stehura said. It was unclear if the remaining 122 votes were no votes or abstentions. A university spokesman confirmed the referendum passed, but did not have the vote totals.

Every current CSU student taking at least two credit hours was eligible to vote between Monday and Thursday this week. The results were announced Friday afternoon.

The referendum called for the university to add a $4-6 fee per credit hour fee, which could cost each full-time student about $150 a year.

The university is not obligated to follow the students' recommendation.

The referendum included adding a women's sport in part to keep the university compliant with Title IX.

Parry said last week if the wrestling team achieves the fundraising requirement, the university likely would reduce scholarships in other men's sports rather than add a women's sport.

Stehura said he was told by the Student Government Association that only once in the last 15 years have students voted to raise their fees.

"I think its representative of the support wrestling has in this community and on this campus,'' Stehura said.

Last month, CSU rejected a proposal for a $5 credit hour fee that was to fund a new men's lacrosse team and a women's sport.

When the fee was rejected, Athletic Director John Parry chose to add the lacrosse team and defund the wrestling program to keep within the department's budget and to stay compliant with Title IX.

Parry said the wrestling team will compete next season and will need to be self-funded beyond 2016. He told the team it needs to raise $800,000 by March 31, 2016 to compete for two more years, and $5 million to endow the program.

CSU wrestling coach Ben StehuraCSU 

The wresting team learned of its fate last week and a public and national outcry in the wresting community was swift, including a pledge of support from wrestling Hall of Famer Dan Gable.

Officials with the National Wrestling Coaches Association and Cleveland-based Wrestlers in Business Network met with Parry last week in an attempt to form a partnership to preserve the program. No decision was reached.

"They voted to raise their student fees to help us, and I want to thank all the students that voted and their deep belief in us and the value we have on this campus,'' Stehura said. "We will do our very best to prove them right, to give back as much as we possibly can.

"Now, it's up to the administration. We've offered several alternatives. Rescinding this (decision) and reinstating wrestling is our ultimate goal.''

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without shooting guard Iman Shumpert on Friday night against the Boston Celtics.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without shooting guard Iman Shumpert tonight against the Boston Celtics.

Shumpert, a valuable bench piece, suffered a right quad contusion during Wednesday night's win against Milwaukee.

"His leg is really sore from the hit that he took above the knee," head coach David Blatt said. "Nothing serious. Just swollen and we're going to hold him out tonight."

With the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference clinched, there's not much left for the Cavs to accomplish during the remainder of the regular season, but Blatt and the players won't alter their approach against the Celtics, a team that could be a first-round playoff opponent. 

"It's a little bit of a different kind of situation than the 78 games we have played up until this point, but it's important for us to play right, play hard and we will look and use the possibilities for resting guys where we see fit both in terms of games and in terms of minutes," Blatt said. "We have 14 players on the roster and whoever is on the floor needs to play right, play hard and play together -- the same things we've been trying to do all year."

Shumpert scored nine points during Wednesday's win against the Bucks and is averaging 6.7 points in 35 games since a mid-season trade from New York. Friday will be his first missed game since Jan. 21, a win against the Jazz. 

Watch as fans and the Cleveland Indians celebrate the opening of their 2015 home season. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians welcomed a sold-out crowd at a newly renovated Progressive Field for the opening of their 2015 home season against the Detroit Tigers.

Fans celebrated before the game at the Right Field Block Party in the renovated area that features The Corner, a two-story indoor-outdoor bar, The Right Field District with local food options, and expanded Kids Clubhouse, new stacked bullpens and a new right field gate area.

Opening ceremonies included Indians pitcher Corey Kluber receiving his 2014 American League Cy Young Award from Tribe Hall of Famer and 1972 Cy Young winner Gaylord Perry.  Perry then threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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Despite his reputation for doctoring the ball, pitcher Gaylord Perry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gaylord Perry was the poster child of innuendo for most of his 22 years as a pitcher in the majors.

Despite his reputation for doctoring the baseball with Vaseline, saliva or any number of foreign substances to give him an edge, Perry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 after a career where he collected 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts and a Cy Young Award in each league.

Instead of holding a press conference or using social media (it was not around back then, but he would not have used it anyway) to clear his name, Perry embraced his reputation and used it to his advantage.

Time on the mound meant motions of rubbing his cap, belt or sleeve, as if he was using a substance to put on the ball. Requests to search his cap and/or glove would come up empty. He was not ejected for doctoring the ball until his 21st season in the league. Perry played for 22 years.

Perry was so much into mind games about his reputation that he released a book in 1974 called "Me and the Spitter: An Autobiographical Confession."

"The book comes out and I won 15 games in a row," said Perry, prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday at Progressive Field. "I should've written it earlier. They were still looking [for a spitball] and I was not throwing it."

Perry used his reputation to his advantage because it gave him an edge over the hitters. The hitters not only had to deal with what type of pitch he'd throw, but did any of his pitches give him an edge because of a possible substance.

"You shouldn't think about anything negative when it comes to sports," said Perry, in his message to children. "You have to remain positive."

One of the greatest hitters in baseball history did not have Perry's reputation as a player but Pete Rose's transgressions following his career have kept him out of the Hall of Fame. Rose accepted a lifetime ban in 1989 for gambling on baseball as a manager of the Cincinnati Reds. But Rose has recently submitted an application for reinstatement. Acceptance could mean eligibility to get elected into the Hall.

Perry said "not yet" when it comes to Rose's possible induction, saying Commissioner Rob Manfred needs time to look at the case.

"Let the commissioner get in and settle in for a while because this is such a big decision," Perry said. "If Rose gets in I'll support him, but not yet."

Check out all the photos as the Tribe faces the Tigers in the 2015 home opener.

Check out all the photos as the Tribe faces the Tigers in the 2015 home opener.