Quantcast
Channel: Cleveland Sports News
Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live

The Cleveland Browns will consider Ryan Tannehill if RG3 costs too much to pursue, says Mary Kay Cabot (SBTV)

0
0

Mary Kay Cabot answers questions from readers on the Browns. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright.


Chuck Yarborough is out trying to find the meaning of life.


Today is Hey, Mary Kay! Before Mary Kay Cabot answered questions from the fans, she jumped right into today's poll --- Why won't the Cleveland Browns pursue Peyton Manning? Her answer had nothing to do with Manning's injuries or on how much the Browns would spend to get him here.


Mary Kay also answered questions on if Mike Holmgren will end his streak of not drafting quarterbacks in the first two rounds. And if GM Tom Heckert still has his eyes on Arizona QB Kevin Kolb.


SBTV will return on Monday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff.


MAC Tournament women's semifinal: Central Michigan 69, Bowling Green 66

0
0

Central Michigan freshman guard Crystal Bradford scores seven points in final 1:36 to lead Chippewas over top-seeded Bowling Green.

cmumac.jpgView full sizeCentral Michigan's Crystal Bradford, center, is caught between Bowling Green defenders Chrissy Steffen, left, and Jill Stein, right, while attempting a shot Friday during the first half of a Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal at The Q. CMU won, 69-66.

Updated at 3:58 p.m. with quotes, more detail

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Central Michigan freshman guard Crystal Bradford struggled early against Bowling Green on Friday afternoon. But when her team needed her the most, she dominated.

Bradford scored 18 in the second half, including seven in the final 1:36, to carry the Chippewas to a 69-66 upset in a Mid-American Conference women's tournament semifinal at The Q.

The fifth-seeded Chippewas (20-14) advance to their first MAC tournament final since 1991. They eliminated the No. 1 seed and two-time defending champion Falcons (24-6).

CMU has won seven straight, including four in the tournament.

"We survived, we withstood, we won," CMU coach Sue Guevara said. "We're on a roll, and this is a good time to be playing well."

The Chippewas likely would be done for the tournament if not for Bradford, a 6-foot lefty from Detroit. Bradford went 8-of-12 from the floor in the second half to finish 9-of-19. Oh, by the way: She had 12 rebounds, eight assists and one giant steal.

Bradford's three-point play with 1:36 left gave the Chippewas a 63-59 lead. After a BGSU 3-pointer, Bradford sank a jumper off a nifty move. BGSU scored, only to have Bradford answer with a spin and lay-in with 34 seconds remaining.

Twenty seconds later, Bradford's steal set up a run-out by Jessica Green for a 69-64 cushion.

"I just had ice in my veins," Bradford said. "I'm not even sure what I was thinking. I didn't want to go home, and I know my teammates didn't want to go home, either."

BGSU coach Curt Miller watched helplessly as his defense had no answers for the lanky reserve.

"Crystal Bradford's name is all over the stat sheet," Miller said. "She took over the game at the end."

Bradford said the three clutch baskets did not result from plays called only for her.

"They were three 'attacks,' and I happened to have the ball in my hands," she said. "When I did attack, it happened to open up for me."

Beyond Bradford, the Chippewas' physicality bothered the Falcons. CMU held a 46-28 advantage in paint points and relied on an aggressive zone to help limit BGSU to 23-of-63 from the floor.

"I love the officials," Guevara said. "I love when they let us play. This tournament, they have. We're not a pretty, finesse-type team. We get down there and get dirty."

BGSU had not allowed more than 62 points in regulation since the opening game of the season -- a 69-38 loss at Dayton on Nov. 11. The Falcons allowed 70-plus once -- to CMU, in a 77-72 overtime victory on the road.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com

216-999-4664

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Thunder franchise a model for Cavaliers

0
0

While the Cavaliers have long modeled themselves after the San Antonio Spurs for the way they built a championship team in a small market, they also have patterned themselves after the Thunder and stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

thunder.JPGView full sizeOklahoma City features stars like Kevin Durant, left, and Russell Westbrook and have the blueprint that the Cavaliers would like to copy for future success.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma --Cavaliers fans, imagine your team as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Really, it's not that hard.

Former NBA coach of the year? Check.

NBA rookie of the year? Almost certain check.

Loud and passionate fan base? Maybe two checks.

While the Cavaliers have long modeled themselves after the San Antonio Spurs for the way they built a championship team in a small market, they also have patterned themselves after the Thunder and stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

"Oklahoma [City] is doing it through the draft,'' said Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, the NBA coach of the year in 2008 with the New Orleans Hornets. "They got a chance to get Durant in the draft, Westbrook in the draft, Harden in the draft. That's how they've built it. They haven't built it going through free agency. They've built through the draft and developing their young players. That's something we think is very important.''

In addition to his admiration for the way the franchise has been building, Scott has a special place in his heart for Oklahoma City. The Hornets played their home games here for two seasons after Hurricane Katrina.

"The Oklahoma City crowd is unbelieveable,'' he said after Friday morning's shootaround at Chesapeake Engergy Arena. "This city is unbelieveable. Loved it here for the two years I was here, met a lot of great people, still have friends here. I haven't made my way back here like I wanted to, but I plan on being back to play Oak Tree again this summer, play a little golf, try to take on that monster.

"When we were here those two years, we felt then that they deserved an NBA team and we're just happy they got that opportunity and they've taken full advantage of it.''

Ohio State Buckeyes: No more free cars

0
0

Ohio State Buckeyes end courtesy-car program for coaches.

gene smith.JPGOhio State University Athletic Director Gene Smith.

For years, head coaches at Ohio State have had the luxury of driving courtesy cars. But that luxury has ended. Instead, coaches will now receive a monthly stipend of $600, writes Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch.

In the wake of a nearly yearlong NCAA investigation that resulted in major sanctions against its football program and brought scrutiny on how the athletic department operates, athletic director Gene Smith said it was time to do away with the concept of courtesy cars.

The total cost to the university to provide the stipends is estimated at $612,000 annually. They will go to coaches and others in the athletic department who have annual salaries ranging from $55,000 (pistol coach Jim Sweeney) to $4 million-plus (new football coach Urban Meyer).

In November, the auditors found dozens of football players driving vehicles that were not registered with the athletic compliance office, as required, writes May. They documented similar problems in 2006.

 

Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. Links: Aaron Craft is all about defense; coach Thad Matta could do without conference tournaments; LeCharles Bentley is holding class

0
0

Ohio State's Aaron Craft is all about defense.

Ohio State routs Wisconsin, 93-65Ohio State's Aaron Craft is all about the defense.

It is common for basketball players to put most of their emphasis on scoring, which is the most popular aspect of the game.

But MansfieldJournal.com reporter Rob McCurdy writes how Aaron Craft is a a different breed of basketball player.

He's happy playing good defense.

"Growing up it's something I always enjoyed doing and took great pride in and it was something I could do well in any game regardless of how well offensively everyone else was doing," the Ohio State sophomore point guard said.

The Buckeyes start play in the Big Ten Tournament at 9 p.m. tonight against either Nebraska or Purdue.

Craft's mindset was rewarded this week when he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, writes McCurdy. Craft joins Greg Oden and Ken Johnson as Buckeyes who have won the award.

"It all starts with him," OSU coach Thad Matta said of the team's defense, which ranks among the best in the country. "The majority of the time he's pointing the ball. He's disrupting."

    

More Ohio State Buckeyes

Thad Matta has won six conference tournament titles, but he doesn't like conference tournaments (Cleveland.com).

Michael Brewster is learning from one of the best in LeCharles Bentley (Columbus Dispatch).

Ohio State and Purdue preview (KC Star).

The Buckeyes are hoping for some national pull when it comes to next year's recruiting class (Bleacher Report).

 

2012 Summer Olympics event spotlight: Swimming

0
0

2012 Summer Olympics event spotlight: Swimming Event: Columbus Grand Prix. When: Today through Sunday. Preliminaries are at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. each day. Where: McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Ohio State, 1847 Neil Ave., Columbus. Links: usaswimming.com, swimclub.osu.edu Tickets: Meet and day passes available at swimclub.osu.edu. Single-session tickets only at the gate are $10-$15. What to watch: The...

gangloff.jpgView full sizeTwo-time gold medalist Mark Gangloff of Munroe Falls will compete in the 100 breaststroke this weekend at the Columbus Grand Prix.

2012 Summer Olympics event spotlight:

Swimming

Event: Columbus Grand Prix.

When: Today through Sunday. Preliminaries are at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. each day.

Where: McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Ohio State, 1847 Neil Ave., Columbus.

Links: usaswimming.com, swimclub.osu.edu

Tickets: Meet and day passes available at swimclub.osu.edu. Single-session tickets only at the gate are $10-$15.

What to watch: The fourth of seven USA Swimming events leading up to the U.S. Olympic Trials in June. Top swimmers use them to test their training and judge their progress against peers. The highest-ranked swimmers at the end of the Grand Prix series earn cash bonuses. There are 700 swimmers entered, so the next generation of stars begins to emerge at meets such as this, and younger swimmers will get to see their idols compete.

Who: The stars are headed to Columbus, including Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. Phelps, who owns 16 Olympic medals (14 gold), will come down from high-altitude training in Colorado and is entered in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke. Coughlin, who has 10 Olympic medals (three gold), is entered in the women's 100 free, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 200 IM. A highlight event will be the 100 backstroke among Phelps, 2008 silver medalist Matt Grevers and 2010 national champ David Plummer. Another intriguing event is the 100 breaststroke, which is expected to feature two-time gold medalist Mark Gangloff of Munroe Falls as well as reigning U.S. champ Brendan Hansen and Mike Alexandrov, who has become a U.S. citizen after competing for Bulgaria at the 2008 Olympics.

Matt Flynn at quarterback makes more sense - Browns Comment of the Day

0
0

"As much as I love RG3 and want him as a Brown I think Flynn makes more sense. Smart accurate passer and if we signed him we could take Claiborne at 4 and Stephen Hill at 22. Keeping those picks and adding more talent to this team would be putting us in the right direction. I won't be upset either way. Flynn or RG3." - DraftJoeHaden1

stephen hill.JPGView full sizeOne cleveland.com reader would like the Browns to get Matt Flynn in free agency and keep their draft picks to possibly pick up wide receiver Stephen Hill, above, with their 22nd pick.
In response to the story Cleveland Browns A.M. Links: Will Matt Flynn be in with the Browns? More RG3; Tom Heckert hopes to improve the running game, cleveland.com reader DraftJoeHaden1 believes Matt Flynn makes more sense for the Browns considering they can fill many holes in the draft. This reader writes,

"As much as I love RG3 and want him as a Brown I think Flynn makes more sense. Smart accurate passer and if we signed him we could take Claiborne at 4 and Stephen Hill at 22. Keeping those picks and adding more talent to this team would be putting us in the right direction. I won't be upset either way. Flynn or RG3."

To respond to DraftJoeHaden1's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Fortune cookie smiles on Manny Acta: Cleveland Indians spring training briefing

0
0

Manager Manny Acta cracks open a fortune cookie and a promising prediction tumbles out.

acta-santana-vert-cc.jpgManny Acta (left) liked what he found in his fortune cookie.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Manager Manny Acta doesn't believe in omens when it comes to baseball.

"I believe in first-pitch strikes, catching the ball and people hitting doubles with the bases loaded," said Acta.

Still, he was taken back Thursday night when he opened his fortune cookie after a meal at P.F. Chang's.  The fortune inside the cookie said: "Your sports team will be very, very successful."

"That was unbelievable," said Acta. "I've never gotten a fortune cookie talking about sports in my life. . .and I eat a lot of Chinese food. So that was a pleasant surprise.

"What's so funny about it, is I usually don't even open the cookies, but my friend said, "Let's open it and see what it says.' My friend, who is pretty wealthy, opened his and it said, "Your finances are going to be better."

Acta was so excited about the fortune, that he took a picture of it with his phone and put it on his Twitter account.

"A guy Tweeted me back," said Acta. "He said, "I hope you have a winning season so you can afford a better phone. He was complaining because the picture was fuzzy."  

Dotted line: Frank Herrmann, Zach McAllister, Scott Barnes, Russ Canzler, Ezequiel Carrera, Lonnie Chisenhall, Juan Diaz, Shelley Duncan, Nick Hagadone, Jason Kipnis, Lou Marson and Vinnie Pestano agreed to one-year deals with the Indians.

The Indians have reached agreement with all players in camp. No players had their contract renewed.

Nice gesture: The Indians invited the Chardon High School baseball team to Progressive Field on Friday to take batting practice in the cages and tour the Indians clubhouse.

Three Chardon students were killed and two others wounded in a shooting at the high school on Feb. 27.

Indians owner Larry Dolan has deep roots in the Chardon community.

Big crowd: Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish will pitch against the Indians on Tuesday in Goodyear, Ariz. when the Texas Rangers visit. A media contingent of about 140 reporters will converge on Goodyear Ballpark to cover the game.

Since the ballpark has one of the smallest press boxes in the Cactus League, Bart Swain, director of media relations, is planning an auxiliary box to handle the overflow. Hey, it's the postseason in March.

Today's lineup:

Indians: CF Michael Brantley, 2B Jason Kipnis, C Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, LF Aaron Cunningham, 1B Casey Kotchman, SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Jack Hannahan, RF Ryan Spilborghs, RHP Derek Lowe.

Brewers: CF Carlos Gomez, RF Nyjer Morgan, LF Ryan Braun, DH Travis Ishikawa, 1B Matt Gamel, 2B Brooks Conrad, C Jonathan Lucroy, 3B Zelous Wheeler, SS Cesar Izturis, LHP Randy Wolf.

Men at work: Following Lowe today against the Brewers will be Nick Hagadone, Chen-Change Lee, Zach McAllister, Chris Ray and Dan Wheeler. Hagadone, Ray and Wheeler are competing for spots in the pen. McAllister is in line for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Injuries: Rafael Perez (left shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday, but still has to throw to hitters before he can pitch in a Cactus League game. . .Robinson Tejeda, trying to win a job in the bullpen, has a strained calf and can't pitch. . .Catcher Chun Chen (right ankle) will be out of action for a couple of days. . .Prospects Austin Adams and Tyler Sturdevant are still down with sore right shoulders.

Next: Justin Masterson will face San Diego on Saturday in Goodyear. STO will televise the game and it will be carried on radio at WTAM at 4:05 p.m. ET.


Olympic calendar for March 10-13, 2012

0
0

The Olympic logo has five rings. Here are five circles on the Olympics sports calendar: Today through Sunday, swimming: Columbus Grand Prix, McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Ohio State. With 26 Olympic medals between them, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin bring the star power to a meet that will include several other Olympians among 700 entrants. Today through Sunday, women's modern...

madison.jpgView full sizeElyria's Tianna Madison, pictured at left during a 2006 workout, will be competing in the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, next week.

The Olympic logo has five rings. Here are five circles on the Olympics sports calendar:

Today through Sunday, swimming: Columbus Grand Prix, McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Ohio State. With 26 Olympic medals between them, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin bring the star power to a meet that will include several other Olympians among 700 entrants.

Today through Sunday, women's modern pentathlon: The first World Cup of the season for athletes hoping to compete in the Summer Olympics' most unusual sport. It combines pistol shooting, p e fencing, show jumping, freestyle swimming and cross-country running.

Saturday, taekwondo: U.S. Olympic team trials, Colorado Springs, Colo. Siblings Mark, Steven and Diana Lopez seek to return to the Olympics after all three won medals in 2008. Steven is going for his fourth Olympics and has two golds and a bronze. He and Diana are No. 1 seeds at their weights and need one win Saturday, but Mark is a No. 2 seed and has to win twice.

Saturday and Sunday, whitewater: Pan American championships, Foz do Iguassu, Brazil. This is the last chance for U.S. athletes to qualify boat-quota slots for London 2012. Six Americans will try to qualify two boats.

Monday-Tuesday, track and field: IAAF World Indoor Championships, Istanbul, Turkey. Elyria's Tianna Madison is the top women's 60-meter qualifier and is one of six U.S. athletes with world-best marks this season, including Bernard Lagat (men's 3,000), Brittney Reese (women's long jump), Sanya Richards-Ross (women's 400) and Reese Hoffa (men's shot put).

MAC women's tournament semifinal: Eastern Michigan 59, Toledo 57

0
0

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Paige Redditt's layup with 1:09 left helped lift Eastern Michigan to a 59-57 victory over Toledo in a Mid-American Conference women's tournament semifinal Friday at The Q. The Eagles (22-8) will play Central Michigan (20-14) in the title game Saturday afternoon. Toledo took a 36-27 lead with 17:53 left on Andola Dortch's 3-pointer. But the Eagles chipped away...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Paige Redditt's layup with 1:09 left helped lift Eastern Michigan to a 59-57 victory over Toledo in a Mid-American Conference women's tournament semifinal Friday at The Q.

The Eagles (22-8) will play Central Michigan (20-14) in the title game Saturday afternoon.

Toledo took a 36-27 lead with 17:53 left on Andola Dortch's 3-pointer. But the Eagles chipped away and got within 42-29 at the 12:50 mark.

Toledo moved the ball upcourt and into the hands of guard Courtney Ingersoll, who drilled a 3-pointer for a 45-39 advantage. It was Ingersoll's third 3-ball in a span of 1 minutes, 48 seconds.

The Rockets (21-9) withstood several EMU runs down the stretch -- until MAC Player of the Year Tavelyn James imposed her will.

James hit a 3-pointer, stole the ball and made two free throws to pull EMU within 57-56 with two minutes left. On Toledo's next possession, James had a steal and was fouled.

James scored 10 of her 19 in the last 10 minutes.

The Eagles finally took the lead, 58-57, when Redditt made a layup off a set piece at 1:09. Redditt scored the game's final point with a free throw with 27 seconds left.

Toledo missed a 3-point attempt with seven seconds left. 

Toledo led, 28-23, at halftime.

 

Travis Hafner signing was right thing to do at the time - Tribe Comment of the Day

0
0

"I think signing Hafner and Sizemore at the time was the right thing to do. Hafner was a gamble of sorts because of previous shoulder problems and Sizemore because he played so hard but they were 2 stars at the time. My only objection with Hafner or any DH is that I hope we have learned not to sign a DH who cannot play a position in the field. It certainly affects your flexibility as well as your ability to play in NL parks during interleague play.If we had not signed Hafner another team like the Yankees might have and with our luck he would have stayed healthy for 4 years and we (me included) would have written about how we were a farm team for the Yankees. We would not be complaining so loudly about the Sabathia and Lee losses if both of them had developed arm trouble in year 1 or 2 of their contracts. We gambled and lost on Sizemore and Hafner while others gambled and won on Sabathia and Lee. I actually thought the contract with Carmona was the way to go. Have a couple of guaranteed years followed by several years at a decent price as a club option." - joedean

Cleveland Indians lose to White Sox, 8-4View full sizeOne cleveland.com reader believes the Indians did the right thing in signing Travis Hafner to a big contract in 2007.
In response to the story Travis Hafner's time with the Cleveland Indians is winding down, cleveland.com reader joedean believes the Indians did the right thing in signing Travis Hafner in 2007. This reader writes,

"I think signing Hafner and Sizemore at the time was the right thing to do. Hafner was a gamble of sorts because of previous shoulder problems and Sizemore because he played so hard but they were 2 stars at the time. My only objection with Hafner or any DH is that I hope we have learned not to sign a DH who cannot play a position in the field. It certainly affects your flexibility as well as your ability to play in NL parks during interleague play.If we had not signed Hafner another team like the Yankees might have and with our luck he would have stayed healthy for 4 years and we (me included) would have written about how we were a farm team for the Yankees. We would not be complaining so loudly about the Sabathia and Lee losses if both of them had developed arm trouble in year 1 or 2 of their contracts. We gambled and lost on Sizemore and Hafner while others gambled and won on Sabathia and Lee. I actually thought the contract with Carmona was the way to go. Have a couple of guaranteed years followed by several years at a decent price as a club option."

To respond to joedean's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Cavaliers should target center within next few years in draft - Comment of the Day

0
0

"I agree that the Cavs should have a chance at either Cody Zeller or Meyers Leonard this year, and that we REALLY need a center, but if Zeller doesn't come out, there could be 4 centers in the top 10 next year. It seems to me that this is a better draft for wing players and we need those too. The addition of an elite SG or SF will be a great boost for the Cavs, and we could go for a center next year. If you're not concerned about top level center the Cavs could probably pick up a player like Festus Ezeli with one of their second round picks, who should still represent an upgrade at the center position for us." - Sorry, but you're wrong

Meyers Leonard.JPGView full sizeOne cleveland.com reader would like the Cavaliers to target Meyers Leonard in the draft, if he comes out, to solve their center position problems.
In response to the story Kyrie Irving's clutch plays are no surprise to his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates, cleveland.com reader Sorry, but you're wrong would like to see the Cavaliers target a true center in the draft. This reader writes,

"I agree that the Cavs should have a chance at either Cody Zeller or Meyers Leonard this year, and that we REALLY need a center, but if Zeller doesn't come out, there could be 4 centers in the top 10 next year. It seems to me that this is a better draft for wing players and we need those too. The addition of an elite SG or SF will be a great boost for the Cavs, and we could go for a center next year. If you're not concerned about top level center the Cavs could probably pick up a player like Festus Ezeli with one of their second round picks, who should still represent an upgrade at the center position for us."

To respond to Sorry, but you're wrong's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Canton designer isn't an angler, but proves he knows "Jack" about fishing hooks

0
0

Karl Beitzel of Canton has become the hot topic in fishing circles after designing the Jack Hook, a knotless way of attaching a hook to fishing line.

 

Jack Hook 3.jpgKarl Beitzel has lots of plastic boxes filled with Jack Hooks in his basement, but hopefully not for long. Beitzel hopes to build a Canton factory soon to handle production of the unique fishing hooks.

 Karl Beitzel of Canton didn't know much about fishing just a few months ago, but in recent weeks he's become the hot topic in fishing circles after designing the Jack Hook, a knotless hook that can quickly be attached to fishing line.

It helped to have a catch phrase for his hook concept. His company's motto: "If you are still tying knots, you don't know Jack!"

Beitzel's concept turned into reality after he won the first $50,000 grant offered by Canton Entrepreneur Launch, a city program to boost local business.

Starting from scratch, Beitzel had flat-sided stainless steel hooks made in California, then finished and packaged the hooks in Canton. It was a heady experience, especially considering five stainless steel sheets of hooks weighs 800 pounds, producing 22,000 hooks that weigh only about 50 pounds.

"That's about 95 percent waste, but it's recyclable," he said. 

 A trip last month to the Bassmasters Classic on the Red River in Shreveport, La., convincing Beitzel he was on the right track.

"I got a 10-foot by 10-foot booth for the Classic Show, and we drew surprising crowds all three days," he said, with a laugh. "I thought we brought enough hooks, but I spent every night sharpening hooks to re-stock the booth. We sold every hook we had."

Beitzel's marketing plans are in their infancy, but sales continue to climb.

"I picked up a couple of more retailers on Wednesday, and internet sales have been pretty good," said Beitzel. "I've been very busy just trying to keep up with the demand."

 The next order of business will be to create a factory, assembly line and shipping and marketing departments, Beitzel said. To check out the hooks, or order a few, visit jackhooks.com. A pack of six hooks is $15.95.

"Turning the Jack Hook into a local business has always been my goal," he said. "I grew up in Canton, and love it here. Big companies that once employed a lot of people here, like Hoover, are gone. I want to hire people from Canton, make products in Canton and sell them all around the world."

Beitzel designed the line attachment after the cleats used to keep a boat from drifting away from the dock. It's deceptively simple. An angler makes couple of wraps of fishing line around one slot on the shank of the Jack Hook, slides the fishing line through another slot, and fishing line and hook are connected.

Jack Hook 5.jpgHow the Jack Hook connection is created: 1. Hold a Jack Hook and fishing line, then wrap the end of the line twice through the larger slot on the shank of the hook. 2. Pull the main fishing line deep into the slot, make sure it's tight, then run the line through the secondary slot at the end of the hook shank. 3. Run the tag end of the fishing line through the secondary slot, trim the end, and you're ready to cast.

"I had a five-year-old girl doing it just right at the Classic Show after spending only a minute or two to show her the technique," he said.

Don't expect Beitzel to wet a line, though, even if it's a chance to show off one of his Jack Hooks.

"I'm horribly allergic to fish," said Beitzel, while sharpening points on hooks in his basement work shop. "I fished a little bit as a kid, but the allergies have really kicked in over the last few years. I can't be near fish or I break out."

Beitzel is already designing new and different styles of Jack Hooks. He has a knotless hook for a Drop Shot Rig, designed weighted hooks and is working with a lead-head jig maker to utilize his specialty hooks. On the drawing board is a knotless swivel and hooks designed for various fishing lures.

"I'm out to prove I'm not just a one trick pony with the Jack Hook," said Beitzel. "I'm a designer, and I want to completely re-invent the fishing hook."

Jack Hook 1.jpgA batch of stainless steel Jack Hooks that Karl Beitzel had sandblasted in his Canton garage are ready to be sharpened.

Rejected design becomes unique hook

 Karl Beitzel doesn't fish, so it took his lively imagination to launch a new fishing tackle company.

"I am a designer and inventor," said Beitzel. "I came up with the concept of a knotless connector while working for a Hudson company to design an instrument for eye surgery," said Beitzel, 45, a married father of three. 

He brought out a small unit that looked like the handle of an electric tooth brush. A cutting blade on the tip was powered by a motor connected with braided fishing line. To create a connector that would keep the fishing line taut, Beitzel spent a couple of nights designing a tiny knotless metal link.

 "The company I was working for didn't like the idea of a precision surgical instrument being built with common fishing line. They rejected my design," said Beitzel. "They did not want fishing line to be part of the design, or my knotless connectors."

Brainstorming, the designer figured he could re-configure the connector and make a knotless fishing hook. Just 14 months later, the Jack Hook hit the market. Beitzel now has 10 basic styles of flat-sided hooks in different sizes that are creating a buzz around the country.

Beitzel has always been sort of a jack of all trades with a bit of wanderlust. He spent a decade in Las Vegas, helping design sets for the famous magical act, Siegfried & Roy. When the show shut down in 2003 after Roy Horn was injured by a tiger, Beitzel returned to Canton. 

 "We made rocks, trees, all sorts of things to hide the incredible equipment they used to perform their magic," said Beitzel. "The white lions and white tigers were amazing. We had to create the props so they would quickly fold and become as tiny as possible when Siegfried & Roy made very large things disappear."

Cleveland Indians see everything go wrong in 12-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers

0
0

Nothing went well for the Indians in a lopsided loss to the Milwaukee Brewers Friday.

tribe-lowe-2012-spring-squ-cc.jpgDerek Lowe struggled for the Indians Friday, and then things got worse in a lopsided loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Well, at least they weren't no-hit. And they did manage to avoid getting shut out.

 That's about the only saving grace for the Indians on a day they lost 12-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park.

 Indians' starter Derek Lowe allowed three runs in three innings. He walked three, threw a wild pitch and allowed two stolen bases. And then it got worse.

 Milwaukee hit four home runs, two of them off righthander Chris Ray who gave up three hits and three runs in a single inning of work.

 No Indians pitcher got away unscathed.

 Righthanded reliever Dan Wheeler allowed two runs on a home run and double. Zach McAllister, a longshot candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, allowed a single, double and triple in the sixth, then gave up a solo home run in the seventh.

 Lefty Nick Hagadone pitched the ninth, allowing a run on two singles and a double -- all to lefthanded hitters.

 The Indians didn't manage a hit until the seventh when Christian Guzman singled with two out. Felix Pie also singled in the eighth. The Tribe finally scored with two out in the ninth inning on a double by Andy LaRoche.

Milwaukee outhit the Indians, 16-3.

 Opening Day starter Justin Masterson makes his second start of spring training Saturday in Goodyear against the San Diego Padres and righthander Dustin Moseley.

Cleveland Browns lose bid for No. 2 draft spot to Washington Redskins; Where does that leave them?

0
0

UPDATED: The Browns made a strong late push to move up to No. 2 for Robert Griffin III, but the Redskins beat them to the punch, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

robert griffin.JPGView full sizeIt appears that Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is now out of the Browns' reach with reports that the Redskins have acquired the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns tried hard to make a deal with the St. Louis Rams to move up to No. 2 in the NFL draft -- offering at least three first-round picks -- but lost out on the Robert Griffin III sweepstakes to the Washington Redskins, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last night.

Schefter, who cited a Cleveland source early in his story, said the Browns thought they'd be able to pull off the deal, but were informed the Redskins landed the choice spot instead. The Browns were even prepared to throw in their second-round pick this year, Schefter said.

Si.com's Peter King tweeted Friday night: "Cleveland was in it, but didn't want to give three ones and a 2. Miami was in it, but couldn't go nuts w/Manning still in play."

The Redskins gave up their No. 6 pick this year and their first-round picks in 2013 and 2014 to move up to draft the Baylor quarterback. They also surrendered their second-round pick this year. The Redskins and Rams have some strong relationships, including the longtime friendship of Rams coach Jeff Fisher and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan.

The deal, first reported by Foxsports.com's Jay Glazer, was agreed to on Thursday afternoon, but can't be officially executed until 4 p.m. Tuesday. Rams vice president and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff confirmed the terms of the trade to The Sports Xchange after Glazer broke the story.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported last week that the Rams wanted to have a deal in place by the start of free agency. Browns General Manager Tom Heckert had planned to attend Griffin's Pro Day on March 21.

Schefter said the move won't deter the Redskins from pursuing quarterback Peyton Manning, although they're considered a long shot.

So what now for the Browns, who own the No. 4 and No. 22 picks in the first round? Their options include the following:

1. Stick with Colt McCoy and supply him with some weapons.

2. Draft one of the other quarterbacks the Browns like, such as Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill or Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden.

3. Sign a free agent such as Green Bay's Matt Flynn or Arizona's Kevin Kolb if the Cardinals release him next week. The Cardinals also are pursuing Manning, and would release Kolb if they sign the former Colts quarterback. Kolb is due a $7 million bonus on March 17.

Heckert, in a meeting with reporters on Thursday, stressed the Browns still like McCoy.

"We're not down on Colt McCoy," he said. "We still think Colt is going to be a good player."

He said McCoy was the victim of some protection problems and dropped passes in 2011 "and it's our job to help him out."

Of Tannehill, Heckert said: "I think he's untapped. I really do. He's a guy fairly new to the position, was playing wide receiver. He's a big kid, strong arm, he's another guy looks like a quarterback. I think he's got a lot of upside to him. I really do."

The Browns also attended the Pro Day of Weeden Friday and have been impressed.

"I really like him a lot," said Heckert. "That's the million-dollar question. You go, 'Wow he's 28 years old.' But I don't know. If he can play six years, I might not be here, so who cares? If he can play, he can play."

As for Flynn, Heckert said the Browns were leaning away from signing a veteran free-agent quarterback.

But at this time of year, anything's possible, including trading three No. 1s to move up four spots.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot


OHSAA boys basketball: Richmond Heights tops Villa Angela-St. Joseph in overtime to win Division IV district

0
0

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — It was almost six months in the making, so it should come as no surprise that it took extra time to decide it. It was worth the wait.

Richmond Heights' Tommy Scales, shown in an earlier game, had 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks on Friday night. - (PD file)

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — It was almost six months in the making, so it should come as no surprise that it took extra time to decide it.

It was worth the wait.

In a game in which momentum changed hands more often than most teens change their minds, Richmond Heights outlasted Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 67-64, on Friday to win a second straight Division IV district basketball championship at Garfield Heights High School.

Fans of both schools knew it would come down to this -- ever since it was announced last fall that the Vikings had dropped from Division III. That the respective coaches were former teammates and close friends and that several of the VASJ players live in Richmond Heights only fueled the fire.

The teams didn't let anyone down.

It could be said the Spartans, ranked ninth in The Plain Dealer Top 25 and fourth in the state, won the game at the foul line. They made 8 of 11 free throws in the overtime, forced when VASJ senior Karlton Garner threw in an improbable 3-pointer from the right wing with 1.2 seconds remaining to tie the game, 54-54.

Richmond Heights guards Ishaam Smith and Rico Jones owned the final four minutes. Smith scored seven of his team-high 16 points in the overtime, including a pair of free throws that extended the Spartans' lead to 63-58 with 39.05 seconds left. Jones scored six of his 14 points in the extra session, including two free throws that sealed the victory with 2.21 seconds to go.

"It was crazy, the craziest game I've ever been in," said Smith, a 5-11 senior. "It was the game everyone wanted to see. It was a battle. We wanted it bad. It seemed like every play was the game, especially in fourth quarter and overtime. It was crazy."

Richmond Heights (23-1) will play Windham on Tuesday in the first game of a regional doubleheader at Canton Fieldhouse.

VASJ's Demonte Flannigan and Duane Gibson were gallant in defeat. Flannigan, a 6-7 junior, scored 21 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked two shots. Gibson, a 6-1 junior, finished with 14 points and a stylish blocked shot that came when he ran down a Spartan from behind, then started a rush the other way that ended with a Flannigan basket that gave the Vikings (15-9) a 49-46 lead with 6:23 to play in regulation.

The lead didn't last long, as 6-8 Tommy Scales promptly scored at the other end and 6-3 junior Arthur Christian staggered the Vikings with a fallaway 3-pointer that went through the net as Christian was sliding across the floor on his backside.

Scales, a senior, finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.

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

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Cleveland Cavaliers' effort against Oklahoma City Thunder was playoff-worthy: Mary Schmitt Boyer's postgame blog

0
0

When the Cavs play hard for 48 minutes, paying attention to defense and offensive details, they can beat anybody. But is that in their best interests right now?

cavaliers ryan hollins.JPGView full sizeCavaliers center Ryan Hollins (5) dunks during Friday night's win at Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Cavaliers will make the NBA sit up and take notice after handing the Thunder just their second home loss in 19 games this season.

The biggest question is whether the Cavs will pay attention.

As they have proven, when they play hard for 48 minutes, paying attention to defense and offensive details, they can beat anybody. When they have a closer like Kyrie Irving _ who shouldn't even be called a rookie any more _ if they can keep it close, they have a chance to pull it out.

Coach Byron Scott's message has been consistent for the past two years. Last year, of course, they didn't have the talent or the will to do this. Now they do. And we're back to that old dilemma: Are the Cavs winning too much and hurting their chances for a top lottery pick that would speed the rebuilding process?

When they opened the second half of the season after the All-Star break with six straight losses, it looked as if that question had been answered.

"It was bad,'' Antawn Jamison said of that streak on Friday.

But watching the smiles and silliness going on in the locker room after the biggest victory of the season _ at one point Kyrie Irving was singing a Katie Perry song _ it's clear which way the Cavs hope this turns out.

Mount Union women's basketball team loses at buzzer to Illinois Wesleyan

0
0

Kori Wiedt (North Olmsted) has 22 points and Rosa LaMattina (Westlake) 16 for the Purple Raiders.

Illinois Wesleyan's Olivia Lett banked in a basket at the buzzer, and Mount Union bowed out of the Division III women's basketball tournament with a 70-69 loss in the Sweet 16 Friday in Alliance, Ohio.

Kori Wiedt (North Olmsted) had 22 points and Rosa LaMattina (Westlake) 16 for the Purple Raiders (28-2). Amanda Rose (Green) added 11 points and nine rebounds for Mount Union.

Lett scored 26 for the Titans (25-5).

A layup by LaMattina gave Mount Union a 69-68 lead with 2:50 left. Neither team scored again until Lett's buzzer-beater.

Illinois Wesleyan faces Carthage (Wis.) -- a 71-61 winner over Centre (Ky.) -- today in the national quarterfinals.

Ohio University rides a hot start to MAC Men's Basketball Tournament title game

0
0

Ohio point guard D.J. Cooper has 18 points, including five 3-pointers, and Buffalo forward Mitchell Watt finishes with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

Gallery preview

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The law of averages says that given a little bit of time, everything will even out. Numbers will land where they should and outliers will find a place close to where they typically would fall.

So when the Ohio Bobcats hit 3-pointers with greater accuracy than anything closer to the basket in the first half Friday night, that percentage was bound to drop by the end of their game against Buffalo.

And when the MAC Player of the Year, Buffalo forward Mitchell Watt, battled to get only a handful of shots before intermission, it stood to reason that couldn't last.

The law of averages worked, all right. In the end, the Bobcats 3-point onslaught slowed and Watt dominated in a way only the player of the year could, but the unexpected still delivered the outcome, as Ohio held on for a 77-74 victory against Buffalo in the MAC Tournament semifinals.

The Bobcats, who improved to 26-7, will face top-seeded Akron in the MAC Tournament final tonight at 8. Buffalo, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, dropped to 19-10.

Ohio point guard D.J. Cooper led with 18 points, including five 3-pointers, and Watt finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

Considering Ohio hit 33 percent of its 3-point attempts during the regular season, the barrage that hit Buffalo in the first half couldn't have been expected. It started only 59 seconds into the game, when guard Walter Offutt sank Ohio's first 3-pointer of the game.

Nine more would follow in the first half in 19 attempts, with Cooper leading the way by hitting 5 of 9 3-pointers before intermission. By the end of the game, the Bobcats sank 48 percent of their 3-point attempts -- even better than their 45.3 percent from the field, overall.

Nothing exemplified Ohio's accuracy behind the arc than a sequence late in the first half. With 6:28 left, Cooper stood a few steps behind the 3-point line, sized up the basket and smoothly knocked down a 3-point basket.

About a minute later, Cooper stepped a little farther back than the NCAA 3-point line of 20 feet, 9 inches. He had the space, and he calmly drained another 3.

And about a minute after that, Cooper, now strutting with confidence, stepped back farther yet -- about 26 feet -- and sank another 3.

In the first half, the Bobcats hit the long-distance shots with greater accuracy than anything close to the basket -- 52.6 percent from 3-point range compared with 50-percent for field goals.

In all, the Bobcats sank 10 3-pointers in the first half. Buffalo hit one. And Watt had only five field-goal attempts in totaling 11 points by halftime. All that meant a 46-35 Ohio lead at intermission.

But the Bulls turned to Watt with renewed vigor in the second half, pounding the ball into the post so the 6-10 senior could use his bulk and length to sink baskets and snare rebounds.

Watt's paltry five field-goal attempts in the first half grew to 16 by game's end, as he sank 11 of those attempts. Watt buried layups over Bobcats, sank put-backs and hammered in dunks. He even hit a 3-pointer.

In the end, though, it wasn't enough, as Buffalo guard Jarod Oldham's half-court shot at the buzzer clanged off the heel of the basket. The law of averages worked, but the outliers mattered most in the outcome.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654

Lake Erie Monsters' win streak ends after shootout loss at Oklahoma City

0
0

Patrick Rissmiller scores the lone shootout goal for the Monsters. Lake Erie goalie Cedrick Desjardins was credited with 31 saves.

lake erie monsters logoView full size
Oklahoma City potted three shootout goals and beat the visiting Lake Erie Monsters in American Hockey League action on Friday, 2-1.

Patrick Rissmiller scored the lone shootout goal for the Monsters, who saw their winning streak end at three. The Barons had been on a four-game winless skid.

After two scoreless periods, the Monsters (30-25-2-4) took a 1-0 lead at 4:46 of the third on Evan Brophey's 16th goal of the season. Rissmiller and Barry Goers earned assists.

The Barons (36-17-3-4) tied it at 1 less than six minutes later.

Lake Erie goalie Cedrick Desjardins was credited with 31 saves.

Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images