"I know the Browns gave up 147 yards per game on the ground. IMO I believe a lot of that had to do with lack of depth on the line and an offense that couldn't stay on the field. With an offense that should be able to sustain drives and a little more depth, including signing a vet to fill in for Taylor, the run defense should be a lot better this season." - Browns_Fansince82

View full sizeAP Photo/Amy SancettaAdding depth to the defensive line, like John Hughes, the Browns' run defense should improve.

"I know the Browns gave up 147 yards per game on the ground. IMO I believe a lot of that had to do with lack of depth on the line and an offense that couldn't stay on the field. With an offense that should be able to sustain drives and a little more depth, including signing a vet to fill in for Taylor, the run defense should be a lot better this season. Lets hope for a speedy recovery from the big fella and some sort of production from the 2 rookies DT's. Go Browns!"

See a thumbnail gallery of this week's Players of the Week.

See a thumbnail gallery of this week's Players of the Week.

Spencer Byers
Shaker Heights
Sport: Baseball
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 5-9
Wt:165
What Spencer did last week: Became school's all-time winningest pitcher when he won his 22nd career game in a 12-1 sectional win over Madison. Is 6-0 with a 1.63 ERA. Also an outfielder, he went 6-for-11, with six RBI and six runs scored.
About Spencer: Plays the flute and ran cross country. Plans to play baseball and study biology at Kenyon. Favorites include the Indians and Grady Sizemore, "The Natural" movie, waitingfornextyear.com, "MVP Baseball 2005" video game, "The Sun Also Rises" book, Hot Sauce Williams restaurant and Nike clothes.
Hannah Skrbis
Lake Catholic
Sport: Softball
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-6
What Hannah did last week: The pitcher/outfielder went 9-for-18 with three triples, a home run, four runs and two RBI. Pitched a complete game with five strikeouts in a 14-3 win against Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.
About Hannah: Class vice president. Also played basketball. Will attend Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Favorites include the Indians, Olympic pitcher Jennie Finch, "A League of Their Own" movie, Twitter.com, "The Help" book, Cheesecake Factory restaurant and math class. Wants to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Jamie Screen
Westlake
Sport: Softball
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-4
What Jamie did last week: Second baseman was 21-for-27 as the Demons went 7-0. Leadoff hitter had one double, scored 11 runs and stole nine bases as Westlake won a sectional title. Has a school-record 54 hits in 97 at-bats.
About Jamie: Enjoys soccer and traveling. Wants to study Spanish and business in college. Favorites include the Indians and Travis Hafner, "The Proposal" movie, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" TV show, "The Great Gatsby" book and Carrabba's restaurant. Best school memory was defeating Amherst in a district semifinal.
Bryce Jones
Cleveland Heights
Sport: Track
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-11
Wt:170
What Bryce did last week: At the Lake Erie League Championships, won long jump in league-record 23-2.75, the best mark in Ohio this season. Won 110-meter hurdles in school-record 14.13 seconds; won 300 hurdles in 40.92; and was third in high jump at 5-10. Tigers won team title.
About Bryce: Will play football at Boston College and major in marketing. Likes to sing before meets. Favorites include LeBron James, "The Avengers" movie, "SportsCenter" TV show, Twitter.com, "NBA 2K12" video game, "Winning Every Day" book by Lou Holtz and sushi.
William Carter
Orange
Sport: Track
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 6-0
Wt:170
What William did last week: He won the 100 meters in 11.2 seconds, the 200 in 21.9 and the long jump at 22-0 at the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division Championships. Also anchored the winning 4x100 relay.
About William: Member of the National Honor Society and Male Minority Leadership Group. Wants to become an architect. Favorites include the Browns, Nets guard Deron Williams, fencing, "Family Guy" TV show, google.com, "Uncharted" video game, "Divergent" book, shrimp alfredo, Bob Evans restaurant and math class. Wants to visit Ireland.
Therese Haiss
Solon
Sport: Track
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-5
What Therese did last week: At the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division Championships, she set the meet record in the 800 meters at 2:14.77. Also set the meet and school record in the 1,600 at 4:50.33. Ran on the meet and school record 4x400 relay (56.96 split, 3:54.49).
About Therese: Also runs cross country and indoor track. Always eats pretzels before meets and a root beer float or ice cream afterward. Favorites include "Modern Family" TV show and peanut butter chocolate chip banana sandwiches.
Alexandria DeVaughn
Beachwood
Sport: Track
Class: Junior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-1
What Alexandria did last week: She won the 200 meters (26.56), the 400 (1:01.63) and anchored the winning 4x200 and 4x400 relays at the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division Championships.
About Alexandria: Enjoys knitting, crocheting and sewing. Member of the Cleveland Express Track Club. Wants to major in psychiatry. Favorites include Ohio State and Jared Sullinger, "Mean Girls" movie, music by Lauryn Hill, Twitter.com, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" book, sushi and government class. Wants to try scuba diving.
Peter Smetona
Shaker Heights
Sport: Tennis
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 6-1
Wt: 170
What Peter did last week: He posted a 5-0 record en route to winning a Division I sectional championship at Solon. Improved his overall season record to 16-2.
About Peter: Has played the piano for many years. Listens to his iPod before matches. Plans to play tennis for Case. Favorites include the Cavaliers, a steak meal, music theory class and "Feel Good Inc." song by the Gorillaz. Would like to take a vacation to Miami.

Coaches' nominations for Players of the Week will be taken Mondays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The toll-free number for coaches to call for the seven-county coverage area is 1-800-388-4370.

Breaking down this weekend's three-game series with one of the N.L. East's favorites.

View full sizeJ. Pat Carter, Associated PressMiami's Carlos Zambrano has a losing record, but brings a sub-2.00 ERA to Progressive Field for Friday's opener of a three-game series with the Indians. Justin Masterson is scheduled to start for the Tribe.

Where: Progressive Field.

When: Friday through Sunday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio Friday and Saturday, WKYC Ch. 3 Sunday; WTAM will carry the series.

Pitching matchups: RHP Carlos Zambrano (1-2, 1.88) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (1-3, 5.40) Friday at 7:05; RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-1, 2.28) vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2-2, 3.75) Saturday at 4:05 p.m. and RHP Josh Johnson (1-3, 5.36) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (6-1, 2.05) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Season series: The Indians and Marlins meet for the first time since 2007. The Marlins lead, 6-3, overall.

Marlins: Ozzie Guillen's club has won five of its last seven games. Giancarlo Stanton is hitting .327 (19-for-58) with seven homers and 15 RBI in May through Thursday, while Emilo Bonifacio leads the National League with 20 steals. Hanley Ramirez is hitting .538 (14-for-26) against Lowe.

Indians update: They've won four straight and are 10-7 in May. The Indians went 11-7 in interleague play last year. Travis Hafner is hitting .667 (2-for-3) against Zambrano, while Casey Kotchman is hitting .750 (6-for-8) against Sanchez.

Injuries: Marlins -- RHP Jose Ceda (right elbow) is on the disabled list. Indians -- RHP Josh Tomlin (right wrist), LHP Rafael Perez (left side), CF Grady Sizemore (back) and RHP Carlos Carrasco (right elbow) are on the disabled list. 3B Jack Hannahan (back) is day to day. Next: AL Central foe Detroit visits for a three-game series starting Tuesday.

The Gladiators (5-3) face the Tampa Bay Storm (5-4) on Saturday night at The Q.

View full sizeGus Chan, The Plain DealerGladiators receiver Robert Redd will bring in 66 receptions and 22 touchdowns into Saturday's home game against Tampa Bay at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Gladiators pride themselves on practicing hard. They took it to another level this week.

"If you didn't know any better, you would have thought our offense and defense were different teams going at it for real," receiver Robert Redd said. "It was that competitive."

There was pushing and shoving and plenty of yelling. Redd had several dust-ups with defensive back Levy Brown. "Levy knocked my helmet off a few times," Redd said with a chuckle.

Redd is not sure why this week, in particular, featured an extra jolt of intensity. But he was thrilled to see it, even as there were uncomfortable moments. That the Gladiators were coming off an Arena League victory in Milwaukee last weekend made it that much more meaningful.

"It shows you what our mindset is," he said. "We won a road game, then went all-out in practice on every snap. We're not going to be complacent. Ever."

Redd wanted to assure fans that it was all good at the end of each practice.

"We're a family, a close-knit family," he said. "We've all got the same goal -- to win a championship -- so we're pushing each other as hard as we can. We've got each other's backs."

The Gladiators (5-3) face the Tampa Bay Storm (5-4) on Saturday night at The Q. Kickoff is 7:30. On April 13 at Tampa Bay, the Storm defeated the Gladiators, 69-48.

"It's always good to play a team twice in a season," Redd said. "Because if you lose the first time, you get a chance for redemption."

The Gladiators also are seeking to rectify the wrong that was their previous home game. On April 21, they squandered a lead in the final minute and lost to the Jacksonville Sharks, 54-49.

"Honestly, we gave that game away," Redd said. "Give Jacksonville credit for the W, but we handed it to them. It left a sour taste. That's not how you want to finish a game in front of your fans."

The Gladiators' 69-48 victory over Milwaukee included more strong defensive work. The Gladiators entered this week ranked first in the AFL in scoring defense (47.5 points per game). Brown and Dustin Bell each had an interception, bringing the team's season's total to 15.

"I don't think there's a defensive backfield better than the one our receivers face every day," Redd said. "They have a lot of ability and a lot of confidence."

Sometimes, though, the Cleveland secondary is too confident. Its aggressive, gambling style has left it vulnerable to big plays. Tampa Bay, as one example, had three touchdown passes of at least 26 yards.

Gladiators quarterback John Dutton was 34-of-49 for a season-high 363 yards and six touchdowns at Tampa Bay. But he was intercepted three times, including one returned for a touchdown. Dutton has thrown for 2,226 yards and 47 touchdowns this season. Dominick Goodman leads the Gladiators with 88 receptions for 901 yards and 20 TDs. Redd has 66 catches for 700 yards and 14 TDs.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Last season, after 38 games, the Indians were 25-13 and in first place by 4 1/2 games. In 1997, the Indians' last World Series season, they were 18-20, in third place, two games out of first.

Chuck Crow, the Plain DealerJose Lopez (4) reaches home plate after slugging a three-run home run during the Indians' 6-5, 11-inning win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. The win gives Cleveland a four-game lead in the American League Central Division.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians are 22-16 and leading the American League Central Division by four games over the Detroit Tigers (18-20).

It's a 162-game season, though.

Put it this way: The Indians' magic number over the Tigers is 121. That means any combination of Cleveland wins and Detroit losses that adds up to 121, and bingo, the Tribe is assured of finishing ahead of their state-up-north rival.

The Indians' magic number over the other AL Central teams: 120 over the Chicago White Sox; 119 over the Kansas City Royals; 115 over the Minnesota Twins.

Let's see where the Indians stood after the first 38 games of the 10 seasons in their history during which they made the postseason; in the eight seasons in which they lost at least 95 games; and, in the last 10 seasons.

The Indians (known as the Blues in 1901, the Bronchos in 1902 and the Naps from 1903-14) played in the eight-team American League from 1901-60; the 10-team AL from 1961-68; the six-team AL East from 1969-76; the seven-team AL East from 1977-93; the five-team AL Central from 1994-present.

Indians, after 38 games, in their playoff seasons:

1920

26-12, first place, 2 1/2-game lead.

Finish: 98-56, first place, two games ahead. Won the World Series, five games to two, over the Brooklyn Robins.

1948

26-12, first place, 2 1/2-game lead.

Finish: 97-58 (including one-game American League playoff win over the Boston Red Sox), first place, one game ahead. Won the World Series, 4-2, over the Boston Braves.

1954

26-12, first place-tie.

Finish: 111-43, first place, eight games ahead. Lost the World Series, 4-0, to the New York Giants.

1995

28-10, first place, eight-game lead.

Dale Omori, The Plain DealerJim Thome (25), then the Indians' third baseman, is cheered by teammates and Cleveland fans after slugging a home run during the Tribe's 5-4 Game 5 win over the Atlanta Braves in the 1995 World Series.

Finish: 100-44, first place, 30 games ahead. Won an AL Division Series, 3-0, over the Boston Red Sox; won the AL Championship Series, 4-2, over the Seattle Mariners; lost the World Series, 4-2, to the Atlanta Braves.

1996

26-12, first place, 5 1/2-game lead.

Finish: 99-62, first place, 14 1/2 games ahead. Lost an ALDS to the Baltimore Orioles, 3-1.

1997

18-20, third place, 2 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 86-75, first place, six games ahead. Won an ALDS, 3-2, over the New York Yankees; won the ALCS, 4-2, over the Baltimore Orioles; lost the World Series, 4-3, to the Florida Marlins.

1998

20-18, first place, four-game lead.

Finish: 89-73, first place, nine games ahead. Won an ALDS, 3-1, over the Boston Red Sox; lost the ALCS, 4-2, to the New York Yankees.

1999

28-10, first place, 8 1/2-game lead.

Finish: 97-65, first place, 21 1/2 games ahead. Lost an ALDS, 3-2, to the Boston Red Sox.

2001

26-12, second place, 1 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 91-71, first place, six games ahead. Lost an ALDS, 3-2, to the Seattle Mariners.

2007

24-14, first place, one-game lead.

Finish: 96-66, first place, eight games ahead. Won an ALDS, 3-1, over the New York Yankees; lost the ALCS, 4-3, to the Boston Red Sox.

Indians, after 38 games, in their 95-plus loss seasons:

1914 (Cleveland Naps)

13-25, eighth place, 10 games behind.

Finish: 51-102, eighth (last) place, 48 1/2 games behind.

1915

17-21, sixth place, eight games behind.

Finish: 57-95, seventh place, 44 1/2 games behind.

1969

10-28, sixth place, 18 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 62-99, sixth (last) place, 46 1/2 games behind.

1971

16-22, fifth place, 9 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 60-102, sixth (last) place, 43 games behind.

1985

15-23, seventh place, nine games behind.

Finish: 60-102, seventh (last) place, 39 1/2 games behind.

1987

12-26, seventh place, 12 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 61-101, seventh (last) place, 37 games behind.

1991

14-24, sixth place, 9 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 57-105, seventh (last) place, 34 games behind.

2009

14-24, fifth place, 6 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 65-97, fourth place, 21 1/2 games behind.

Indians, after 38 games, in the last 10 seasons:

2002

18-20, third place, four games behind.

Finish: 74-88, third place, 20 1/2 games behind.

2003

12-26, fourth place, 11 games behind.

Finish: 68-94, fourth place, 22 games behind.

2004

18-20, fourth place, five games behind.

Finish: 80-82, third place, 12 games behind.

2005

17-21, fourth place, 10 games behind.

Finish: 93-69, second place, six games behind.

2006

17-21, fourth place, eight games behind.

Finish: 78-84, fourth place, 18 games behind.

2007

24-14, first place, one-game lead.

Finish: 96-66, first place, eight games ahead. Won an ALDS, 3-1, over the New York Yankees; lost the ALCS, 4-3, to the Boston Red Sox.

2008

19-19, second place, 1 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 81-81, third place, 7 1/2 games behind.

2009

14-24, fifth place, 6 1/2 games behind.

Finish: 65-97, fourth place, 21 1/2 games behind.

2010

15-23, fourth place, eight games behind.

Finish: 69-93, fourth place, 25 games behind.

2011

25-13, first place, 4 1/2-game lead.

Finish: 80-82, second place, 15 games behind.

If you're a Tribe fan, don't be a grump -- enjoy this season.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerThere were hugs all around -- in this case, from Asdrubal Cabrera -- for Jose Lopez after he slugged a game-tying three-run homer in the eighth inning Thursday afternoon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Why can't some Tribe fans enjoy this? Why can't they just say, "Wow ... I mean, Jose Lopez ... did you see that?"

Or why can't they say, "They were down 4-0, looked dead. Then they tied it at 4-4, but gave up that run in the top of the 11th. I figured it was over, who knew?"

Or why can't some fans look at the standings and smile?

After Thursday's stunning 6-5 victory over Seattle in 11 innings, the Tribe is 22-16. They have a four-game lead over the Tigers, who were losing 4-3 to the Twins as the Tribe came back to ambushed their former manager Eric Wedge -- again.

The Tigers lost to the Twins -- twice. The same Twins who were swept in a two-game series by the Tribe in Minnesota earlier this week. The Tigers made six errors in those two games. The Tigers are 18-20, worse than their 20-18 mark at this time a year ago, when the Indians were 25-13.

So the two teams are about where they were at this time in 2011, when the Indians had a summer of contention; at least until the Tigers turned serious in August and dominated the division as the temperature dropped and the leaves fell.

But the fact remains the Indians are 22-16, and it's the fourth-best record in the American League. Would you prefer that they started 16-22? Would you rather have them lose to teams such as the Twins and Seattle because everyone knows they are bad teams?

Will 38-year-old Derek Lowe (6-1, 2.05 ERA) remain among the American League's premier pitchers? Probably not. But he is the only man in Wahoo red, white and blue who has shockingly over achieved this season.

The Indians are batting only .249, but somehow they have scored five more runs than the Tigers this season. That probably won't hold up, either. But the Tigers have pitching problems, both in the rotation and especially the bullpen (5.04 ERA, 8-of-14 in saves). That can linger, while the Indians' pitching might very well improve.

But there's something else about this endearing team.

"They don't give up," said Manny Acta, whose team won its first extra-inning home game in five tries this season. He was talking about Lopez's three-run homer in the eighth to tie the game, and how they finally won in the 11th on a Carlos Santana bases-loaded single.

"We got down [5-4 in the 11th], but everyone in the dugout said, 'Let's get two, we can do it,'" said Acta. "This is a pretty confident group."

Was Acta was keeping track of the Tigers game? At first, he talked about how he couldn't help but see the scores every time he looked at left field. Then he said something that should resonate with every Tribe fan.

He talked of managing teams "where we were going to lose 95 games, but these kids had to play." It was always about next year. But that's not the case this year. The Indians are in it to win, at least in their own fashion.

This is where some Tribe fans begin their "The Dolans are cheap" lament. It's where they bring up last season when the Tribe peaked at 30-15 and finished 80-82.

It where they try to make themselves miserable instead of riding the wave of the only franchise in the last few years to generate any real on-field excitement since a certain basketball player left for Miami.

"We have our flaws like a lot of teams do, but we play hard," said Acta. "I just have a good feeling about these guys."

The fans should, too. At least as long as they are giving you a reason to do so.

Though minor in scope, Meyer and Smith are among those who have committed secondary NCAA violations at Ohio State in the last 11 months.

View full sizeLynn Ischay, The Plain DealerBoth Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith (left) and football coach Urban Meyer have admitted to "secondary violations" of NCAA regulations -- in both cases involving the recruiting of high school athletes -- since Meyer's hiring on Nov. 28, 2011.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At Ohio State right now, anything related to NCAA violations gets people's attention.

Like first-year football coach Urban Meyer, less than three weeks after he was hired, committing a secondary violation by saying "good luck" to recruit Noah Spence at a game in December. Or athletic director Gene Smith committing a secondary violation in April by filming a video message to a football recruit.

Or even assistant coach Mike Vrabel using smokeless tobacco on the sidelines during football games last season, which was noted and reported to Ohio State by a Columbus-area health teacher, and was a secondary violation of NCAA rules against using tobacco during games or practice.

None of the violations, among the 46 reported in 21 sports since May 30 of last year, are a big deal on their own, nothing close to the major violations that threw the football program into turmoil during 2011. The violations were released to The Plain Dealer on Thursday in response to a records request filed to Ohio State on April 18 for all NCAA violations committed by the school's athletic department dating back to May 30, 2011. That was the date on which former football coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign.

Many are related to assistant coaches in various sports mistakenly contacting recruits they believe are older than they really are, almost laughably insignificant missteps.

But on one hand, anything having to do with violations won't help Ohio State's perception, while on the other hand, a lot of secondary violations can be viewed as a sign of a strong compliance department.

Even little things are serious business in Columbus. As OSU compliance director Doug Archie pointed out in a letter of admonishment sent to two different smaller sport coaches, "it is the responsibility of each person with the athletics department and within the Ohio State University community to ensure that rules are being followed."

That's especially true for big names like Meyer, who has ruffled some feathers in the Big Ten with his aggressive recruiting, and Smith, who just oversaw a trying year for the athletic department that included the forced resignation of former coach Jim Tressel and a bowl ban in 2012 for the football team. The top guys have less wiggle room.

View full sizeAP fileAsked about possible recruiting violations surrounding his involvement with offensive lineman Kyle Dodson in February, Urban Meyer forcefully said "underline it, this is not an NCAA violation." He didn't mention that he had violated NCAA rules in the recruiting of Pennsylvania defensive lineman Noah Spence. "Nothing to hide. All good," Meyer said on Thursday.

Meyer has defended himself against accusations of improper recruiting, including a specific charge from the Sporting News that a member of the Ohio State staff "bumped" into Cleveland Heights offensive lineman Kyle Dodson during a recruiting visit when contact with players wasn't allowed. In April, Meyer said there was no violation over contact with Dodson, who switched his oral commitment from Wisconsin to sign with Ohio State, "so if you would bold that for me and underline it, this is not an NCAA violation. There is not one turned in."

He was right. But there was one turned in over his contact with Spence, a five-star defensive end recruit from Pennsylvania who also signed with the Buckeyes.

Meyer and several assistants watched Spence play in a state title game in Hershey, Pa., on Dec. 16, and according to the NCAA report, Meyer spoke to both high school head coaches before kickoff. Spence walked past Meyer and said something, and Meyer reported he may have said "good luck." According to NCAA rules, even those two words are considered impermissible contact with a recruit on the day of a game and, therefore, a secondary violation.

Ohio State learned of the matter after seeing a newspaper photo that appeared to show Meyer saying something to Spence. Meyer also told Ohio State about the incident two days after the game.

"I went to say hello and good luck to his coach and as I was walking off the field Noah said, 'Hello,' and I said 'Good luck,' before the game," Meyer wrote in a text message to The Plain Dealer on Thursday. "Nothing more. Nothing to hide. All good."

All of the violations since May 30 were secondary in nature other than the already known major violations committed by football players who received what the NCAA judged to be overpayment from Northeast Ohio booster Bobby DiGeronimo. Florida attorney Michael Buckner, an expert in NCAA law, said that number was not unusual for an athletic department the size of Ohio State.

"In general, if you're not reporting numerous secondary violations, then from the NCAA perspective, that could be considered a bad sign," Buckner said. "If I was an OSU fan, I wouldn't be alarmed by it. That means Ohio State is doing the right thing."

Compared to Meyer, there was a bit more to Smith's secondary violation. Smith and Archie Griffin, the CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association, were scheduled to meet football recruit Ezekiel Elliott on his official visit on March 31. When Smith and Griffin were out of town watching the men's basketball team at the Final Four, they recorded video messages for Elliott.

It is an NCAA violation to create videos specifically for recruiting purposes, and both did address Elliott by name in the video. Elliott, by the way, announced his oral commitment to Ohio State the next day.

Smith, Griffin and the football video staff, as part of the violation report, were sent letters reminding them that the compliance office should be consulted before any videos are shown to recruits. Should an athletic director have known better?

OSU spokesman Dan Wallenberg didn't comment specifically on that, but reiterated the secondary nature of the violations.

"The easy thing would be to let it go, and not have the numbers [of violations]," Wallenberg said. "But the numbers I think are good because that speaks to the culture we have."

Wallenberg also released a statement to The Plain Dealer that said, in part, "the records released today are consistent with the size of Ohio State's program, the NCAA rules and the culture within the Department of Athletics to look aggressively for any actions that may have violated NCAA policy."

So Ohio State will keep reporting, still knowing that anything to do with NCAA violations doesn't help its cause.

Both Carolina and Lake County can't muster any offense in losses.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Chiefs 6, Clippers 1: Columbus LF Matt LaPorta and 1B Russ Canzler each had two hits Thursday but visiting Syracuse knocked around Paolo Espino and won the International League game.

Espino (0-1, 10.80), a right-hander making his second start with the Clippers after being promoted from Class AA Akron, allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out three.

Canzler singled to score 3B Andy LaRoche (.235) to account for the Clippers' run.

Notes: LaPorta (.333) is 42-for-126 with 11 homers, seven doubles and 25 RBI in 34 games. The right-handed batter has a .651 slugging percentage and a 1.056 OPS. He has walked 15 times and struck out 28 times. ... Canzler (.268) is 38-for-142 with three homers, six doubles and 12 RBI in 38 games.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Red Sox 2, Mudcats 0: Carolina was held to five singles in the Carolina League loss to Salem (Va.) in Zebulon, N.C.

Righty Danny Salazar (5.59) started for Carolina and pitched two shutout innings. Righty Michael Goodnight (1-3, 4.46) relieved and gave up two runs and six hits in six innings.

Mudcats RF Carlos Moncrief (.244) had two hits.

A Lake County Captains

Silver Hawks 2, Captains 1: Lake County right-handed starter Felix Sterling threw 5 strong innings and right-handed reliever Grant Sides threw 21/3 shutout innings, but South Bend pitchers were a little bit better in the Midwest League game in Indiana.

Sterling allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six. The 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic walked two.

Lake County SS/DH Francisco Lindor (.327) had two hits and scored the Captains' run.

AA Akron Aeros

The Aeros were off Thursday.

In the realm of small-college track and cross country, Hazen has few peers. At 72, he could be the oldest member of the U.S. contingent as the men's distance coach for the track and field team.

View full sizeAndy Smith, Special to The Plain DealerVeteran Malone College cross-country and track coach Jack Hazen (working with runner Ashton Avery) will be the distance coach for the U.S. men's track team at this summer's Olympics in London. "I never dreamed I would have a chance to get an Olympic appointment," he said. "This is the big one."

CANTON, Ohio -- Despite a career of excellence that spans nearly five decades, Malone University track and cross country coach Jack Hazen has kept a low profile -- except in the close-knit world of distance running, where he is held in high regard.

Ten weeks from now, the rest of the track and sporting world might get a glimpse if he positions himself just right during the Opening Ceremonies of the London Summer Olympics.

"It'll be kind of exciting. My plan is to walk next to LeBron James because the cameras will be focusing on him," Hazen said with a chuckle.

Hazen, 72, could be the oldest member of the U.S. contingent as the men's distance coach for the track and field team. After the ceremonies, Hazen will fade into the background, which is how he likes it. He'll work behind the scenes to help prepare Americans in the 800, 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the 20-kilometer and 50K racewalks and the marathon.

He won't be coaching in the traditional sense. His job is to be a facilitator between the athletes and their private coaches. The coaches will have access to training, while the team resides and prepares for two weeks in Birmingham, England, prior to the Games. But coaches' access will be restricted once the team moves to London and the Americans work out at a local school, as well as during competition. Hazen's job is to make sure the athletes are adhering to their individual coaches' plans.

Hazen has met several times with the marathoners, who already have had their trials. The track trails are June 23 to July 1 in Eugene, Ore. He said he might have to work closely with marathoner Abdi Abdirahman if his coach is unable to attend the Games.

Hazen will have 20 to 24 athletes under his wing, and one of the points of emphasis is the recent U.S. trend of the distance men running personal bests at the trials, then under-performing at the Games.

"We're hoping to reverse that," he said.

The appointment to the team, announced last year, came as a surprise to Hazen, even though he's had other U.S. national team assignments.

"I've never coached an elite distance runner, so I'm even more shocked," he said.

That's not to say he hasn't coached an elite athlete in his 44 years at Malone, a small Christian college in Canton. He spotted and recruited a raw young pole vaulter at St. Ignatius in the early 1990s named Tim Mack, who flourished in three years at Malone before transferring to Tennessee. Mack won the gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Hazen was head manager for the 1999 U.S. Junior Pan American team and twice was head coach of the U.S. men's cross country team at the world championships. He was also an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Perhaps just as important in regard to his Olympic appointment has been his role as a member of the U.S. Track & Field's board of directors for 16 years.

"I've really enjoyed my other experiences of working with elite athletes. I never dreamed I would have a chance to get an Olympic appointment. This is the big one," said Hazen, who grew up near Alliance and attended Marlboro High School, now known as Marlington.

In the realm of small-college track and cross country, Hazen has few peers. His cross country teams qualified for the NAIA national meet every year, and the men's team had 36 top-10 national finishes in 45 years. Malone is transitioning to NCAA Division II next year.

Hazen has also coached men's track for 28 years, producing more than 325 All-Americans, which, according to the school, represents more than 80 percent of the All-Americans in Malone athletics history.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

The Red Bulls are parting with a player who many consider one of America's brightest attacking prospects.

AP File PhotoJuan Agudelo celebrates his goal in a friendly against Mexico on Feb. 29, 2012.

Two U.S. national team players are swapping coasts thanks to Thursday's blockbuster trade between the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA, which sent promising young forward Juan Agudelo to Los Angeles in exchange for Heath Pearce, an accomplished defender who should fill New York's pressing need for a left back.

In return for that defensive help, the Red Bulls are parting with a player who many consider one of America's brightest attacking prospects.

Agudelo, 19, moved from the Red Bulls academy to the senior team in the spring of 2010 and made a splash later that year, starting both of New York's MLS Cup playoff games and scoring the only goal in the national team's November win over South Africa. When Agudelo struck again for the U.S. in an exhibition against Argentina in March 2011, his status as a rising star was cemented.

Red Bulls coach Hans Backe, however, had other ideas. Thus began the tension that played a significant role in Thursday's trade.

Backe repeatedly said he wished to bring Agudelo along slowly, and minutes were at a frustrating minimum for the teenager as the Red Bulls counted on French icon Thierry Henry and Englishman Luke Rodgers last season. This season, Rodgers' place has been taken by Kenny Cooper, who is tied for second in the league with nine goals.

Agudelo started 12 games last season and this spring — thanks in part to a knee injury that sidelined him for more than a month — he has been in Backe's first 11 just once. Overall, Agudelo has six goals and three assists in 36 regular-season and playoff games.

"In our discussions with Juan, he voiced that he wanted to have more time playing first team soccer and even explore the option of moving to another team," Red Bulls GM Erik Solér said. "We wanted to help him achieve this goal and further develop his career. It has been rewarding to watch Juan develop both as a player and a person within our academy and first team and we think that playing for Chivas USA will be a great new opportunity for his career. We wish him the best of luck in the future."

Solér added during a Thursday conference call that the Red Bulls had rejected offers for Agudelo from clubs overseas in each of the past two years.

At Chivas, Agudelo will be reunited with Colombian mentor Juan Pablo Ángel, who played alongside the Manizales-born teenager in 2010. Agudelo should get all the minutes he wants for coach Robin Fraser's team, which is spending yet another season stuck in neutral.

The Goats (3-6-1) have six goals in 10 games. The club also has welcomed back 21-year-old forward Tristan Bowen, who scored three goals in 24 games during a year-long loan at Belgian second-division club Roeselare.

Pearce, 27, is a versatile defender who can play anywhere along the back line, although he's probably at his best locking down a flank and adding a bit of width going forward. A Northern California native, Pearce has played 35 times for the U.S. and was among the final cuts from the 2010 World Cup team. He joined Chivas following the 2010 campaign after two years with FC Dallas.

He will bring instant pedigree to a New York back four in need of reinforcement.

The trade also will boost the Red Bulls' bank account. Chivas USA sent allocation money along with Pearce, which New York can use toward the signing of a big-name player over the summer, as well as "future considerations," which surely means a percentage of the transfer fee should Agudelo's rights be sold to a foreign club.

"It was a deal we could not turn down," Solér said.

With Henry turning 35 this summer, the directive from the Red Bulls' front office is clear: Win now. Solér told reporters Thursday that signing an attacking midfielder is the club's "next top priority."

In order to shore up its back four, Chivas also completed the long-rumored trade for Philadelphia Union captain Danny Califf, a rugged central defender who returned to MLS in 2010 after four years in Denmark. In return, Chivas sent midfielder Michael Lahoud and allocation money to the youthful Union, who have been overhauled in their third season under coach Peter Nowak and who have stockpiled money with a series of moves this year.

Lahoud, from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., was a Chivas regular in 2010 and '11 but has played only 54 minutes this season.

"Obviously, losing Heath, our thoughts were to acquire a center back and we had the ability to get Danny Califf who's a player who has played in a lot of places, he has some good experiences, he's a very experienced and hard-nosed defender," Fraser said.

Agudelo and Pearce won't have to wait long for a reunion with their old teammates. The first-place Red Bulls (7-3-1) will host play host Chivas USA on May 23.

-- This article originally appeared on SportingNews.com

This is the first oval race of the season, and the first at 500 miles -- posing a test for the new equipment.

View full sizeMichael Conroy, Associated PressCanadian driver Alex Tagliani prepares for a practice run Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's all new on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as teams prepare for Saturday's first day of qualifying for the May 27 Indianapolis 500.

There are new engines, new chassis and new accessories.

Yet with the new comes memories of old times as the engine wars between Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus, not to mention the new Dallara chassis, conjure visions of the past when some prominent teams and drivers failed to get enough speed to qualify for the race.

There are still those around who remember when Medina-born Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal did not make the 1993 race the first year Honda was on the circuit. Or 1995 when the 15-time Indy winner and Shaker Heights native Roger Penske failed to get his team into the field with a new chassis.

The Penske team of Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe has pretty much owned the podium so far this season with a combined four victories (Power, 3; Castroneves, 1) and three poles in the first four events of the season, racing under Chevrolet power.

Clearly, someone from that trio is favored for the Indy pole. But this is the first oval race of the season, and the first at 500 miles -- posing a test for the new equipment. Will the engines last? Which will get the best gas mileage? What parts are strong enough to hold up under race conditions, and which are too fragile?

The new engines come with turbo chargers, which is also a nod to the past.

"I love being back to the turbo chargers," said Lakewood's Robbie Buhl, co-owner for the Dreyer and Reinbold race team. "For the era of the 90s, when I came through racing, that is what we ran. I think the fans like the sound of them."

All the engine and chassis changes have brought about unexpected costs. The Dreyer/Reinbold team offers a capsule look at the transition season going on in open-wheel racing.

"It was marketed as the base package was $385,000 bucks," Buhl said. "Well, it's probably about $550,000 by the time you get it up and running. This is just part of the game that a lot of people haven't played the last 10 years, if at all."

D&R began the season racing with Lotus power inside the redesigned Dallara chassis. But while veteran engine manufacturers Honda and Chevrolet were strong out of the gate, Lotus struggled. So D&R and other teams have since switched to either Honda or Chevrolet, leaving Lotus with just two cars.

On the Speedway track, the pace has been slow and steady. The 227.472 mph that put Alex Tagliani on the pole for 2011 does not appear to be threatened. So far the top practice speed has been 223.088 as the drivers have yet to really push the envelope. Practice began last Saturday and through Thursday no car had touched the wall.

"The new cars, they are not as fast as they designed them to be," Buhl said. "And everybody is like 'how can that be?' But we haven't had a new car in the series since 2003. We had a car we knew everything about, that had evolved over almost a decade. This is a new car. It takes time with people rubbing on it, massaging it, to find the speeds.

"I'm guessing the top speedway guys, the front row guys, will be running in the 220-mph, 221-mph range," he said of Saturday's qualifying. "From there it will be a lot of guys down to 215 mph. I know that is not the speeds they anticipated with this car under its initial design. But it's a new car, with new motors. This is just part of the game, that a lot of people haven't played the last 10 years, if at all.

The much needed and anticipated change from being a 'spec' series, where everyone drove with the same engines, chassis and comparable parts for most of the last decade, to manufacturer competition has come with its challenges. Equipment is too sparse and too precious.

It is doubtful a Penske team or prominent driver will miss this race, even with the engine wars. There are many drivers available, but limited equipment has some wondering if there will even be a traditional 33-car field.

"There will be 33," Buhl said. "At the 11th hour, maybe, but there will be 33. Again, I think the fact we had 26 cars in the first race at St. Pete was incredible. A real healthy sign.

"The reason it will be tight getting 33 at Indy, is due to the new car. New acquisitions. As we get through this period and we build up our inventory of cars and parts, there will be more availability, and next year probably 40 or more trying to get in [the field] at the speedway. I think it's just a cycle.

"Look at us," Buhl continued. "We had six cars last year, and ran four entries [at Indy]. This year we have two cars, and the second car isn't all built up yet. To me this is part of the transition."

Clearly, it's a new game at the Speedway.

The number of runners over the age of 50 is booming, and mature runners have to manage an aging body as they participate in distance running.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer"I know people who ran a long time and can't now because they've worn through the cartilage in hips or knees," says 70-year-old marathon enthusiast Mary Dunbar of Cleveland Heights. "I had problems, too, when I started running, but I didn't let myself get discouraged."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mary Dunbar set another record recently, this time in the Towpath Half Marathon. She was first in her age division.

Again.

Of course, she was also the only one in her age division.

Dunbar, of Cleveland Heights, won the 70-plus division in the April race, completing 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 17 minutes, 40 seconds. The 70-year-old Cleveland Heights City Councilwoman began running marathons three years ago and can't seem to kick the distance-running habit, joining a growing number of athletes who are running well after the age of 50.

Despite the lonely age division in Dunbar's half-marathon last month, the number of mature runners competing in races like Sunday's Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon has skyrocketed in recent years. Baby Boomers are staying active as they age, adding to competitive age divisions for those into their 70s.

The Cleveland Marathon has seen a 260 percent increase in runners over the age of 50 in the past nine years, nearly keeping pace with the 300-percent rise in runners, overall, in that time span. As of early May, the number of runners age 65 and older who had registered for the Cleveland Marathon increased 62 percent, to 222 total. At this year's Boston Marathon, a record 596 age 65 and older registered for the race, according to the Boston Globe.

And while there are obvious health benefits to remaining active and running at any age, there are hazards specific to a more mature population that has joints that already have taken a pounding over decades of use. The key for older runners to staying healthy, however, is the same as it is for every age population: Listen to your body.

Laura Goldberg is the Cleveland Marathon medical director and an orthopedic doctor with the Cleveland Clinic who has seen the alterations to the running population in the patients she sees in her practice. Once filled with 30- and 40-year-olds, the waiting room now is brimming with 50- and 60-year-olds, particularly women.

"It's a huge part of my practice population," Goldberg said. "I definitely think people are running longer, and a lot of patients are starting after their kids are grown and getting back into it."

Dunbar is one of those runners. She participated in the Nike Women's Marathon in 2009 in San Francisco with her daughter-in-law so she could finally cross a marathon off her bucket list, and has continued until now, when she'll run in Cleveland at age 70. Over the last few years, Dunbar has battled knee and back pain, but instead of giving up the sport she focused on improving her weaknesses. She began building core strength -- a key for distance runners -- and began following the principles of ChiRunning, which encourages running in a more efficient and natural manner.

"I know people who ran a long time and can't now because they've worn through the cartilage in hips or knees," Dunbar said. "I had problems, too, when I started running, but I didn't let myself get discouraged."

Why?

"I can get into skinny jeans," Dunbar joked.

Goldberg said common problems for mature runners include tendinitis and arthritic flare-ups. More than anything, however, the recovery time for runners older than age 50 is longer, and athletes need to recognize that. Again, the key is to listen to your body.

"I see a lot of runners requiring more rest, requiring a little bit more recovery than they used to," Goldberg said. "It's about realizing that after a hard race or a hard run you may need an extra day to recover."

Jean Toth, 76, of Wickliffe has been running for more than 35 years, and has had to make adjustments to her training and races. At her peak in the 1980s, Toth completed the Boston Marathon in 3 hours, 43 minutes. She will be running this weekend in Cleveland -- her 54th marathon -- and has a target of finishing 26.2 miles in six hours.

"When I have to, I'll walk real fast," Toth said. "I think some people get injured because they push themselves too much. when I'm running and doing long distances, my body tells me how to run."

Richard Hyde, a 67-year-old from Newbury, agrees with the observation that mature runners need to be aware of what their bodies can handle.

"I would say set realistic goals," said Hyde, the 5K silver medalist at last year's National Senior Games. "Don't go out and try to recreate your times of when you were 18. And just strive for improvement and try to have fun."

There's one other thing that helps Hyde most.

"I don't think of myself as old," he said. "But I guess it's above the shoulders."

LA GRANGE, Ohio — Old-school fanatics are convinced fastpitch softball remains a pitcher-dominated game, but what Keystone batters have done the past two years is enough to convert the purest of purists. The district champion Wildcats, unbeaten and ranked nationally, have hit a state-record 43 home runs this spring while buzzing through most of their 28 wins.

Keystone's Bee Shaw drives a solo home run to left field against Firestone in their district final game. Shaw has five homers on the season. - (John Kuntz, PD)

LA GRANGE, Ohio — Old-school fanatics are convinced fastpitch softball remains a pitcher-dominated game, but what Keystone batters have done the past two years is enough to convert the purest of purists.

The district champion Wildcats, unbeaten and ranked nationally, have hit a state-record 43 home runs this spring while buzzing through most of their 28 wins.

They broke their 2011 state record of 34 homers on May 7, with nearly one month remaining in the season.

Imagine what their 2012 total could be had their at-bats not been limited due to winning 19 of 28 games after five or fewer innings because of the mercy rule.

Nine players have homered this season. Thirteen round-trippers have come on the road and three were inside-the-park homers. Keystone, ranked 19th by ESPN and No. 1 in the Division II state coaches poll, has outscored opponents, 337-23, and has posted 16 shutouts. Five wins have come against local conference champions.

"That's the best high school softball team I've coached against," said 28-year Amherst mentor Bill Matthews, whose Southwestern Conference championship team gave up three homers to the Wildcats in a five-inning, 13-0 mid-April loss. "They have the pitching and defense but their hitting is so superb.

"They're big, strong, athletic kids who come out swinging."

Said Keystone senior shortstop and Akron recruit Erin Pond, "We're told to swing the bat as hard as we can on every swing."

And swing they do -- between 1,200-1,500 swings per player, per practice.

It's part of a yearlong regimen that zeroes in on strength and bat speed. Keystone coach Jim Piazza instituted it two years ago after talking to successful college coaches at Alabama and Kentucky.

Piazza kept a close eye on the regimen, which gained popularity at the collegiate level a few years ago, and figured he would give it a shot after seeing the increased power numbers.

Keystone's power surge is staggering.

After connecting on 13 homers in 2010, they belted the 34 homers in their first season with the new training plan. (West Liberty Salem set the previous record, 31, in 2010.)

Piazza gives some credit to the pitching mound being lengthened from 40 to 43 feet in 2011, but attributes most of the success to drills his players diligently work through every practice.

"People have said we're loading our bats and the balls are juiced, but it's those stations," said Piazza. "It's a lot of hard work but we have players who have bought into it and are willing to put in the time, and it's filtering down.

"Our JVs have hit 15 home runs and we have five to seven homers at the middle school already."

The drill stations, including one where the player whips the bat around in a windshield-wiper motion, help build strength in the arms, forearms and wrists.

"There's one drill, we're on one knee and driving the bat towards the ground without hitting the ground," said senior pitcher/second baseman Bee Shaw. "Do that 25 times, as fast as you can, and you'd feel the burn, too."

Doesn't all the repetition get boring for the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division champs?

"Never," said senior Kenzie Conrad, another Akron recruit and the home run leader with 10. "Everyone works their butt off and it's just a great environment because we have so many coaches who know what they're doing."

The players have kept intensity high by creating a playful contest to see who finishes with the highest total.

"Coach always tells us hitting is contagious so we're now talking about hitting 45-50 homers," said Shaw.

In addition to the drill stations, practice includes hitting off tees, pitching machines 20 feet away and live pitching from assistant coaches and former standouts Brittney (Robinson) Hodkey and Jessica Burt.

"I would have hated to pitch against this team," said Hodkey, who played collegiately at Kent State. Hodkey described tossing batting practice as "pretty intimidating" because of all the liners that have whizzed by her head.

"These kids have become more selective at looking for their pitch, then hitting the pitch they can drive," Hodkey said.

Burt played on Keystone's most recent state championship team in 2006 and went on to star at Cleveland State.

"My high school team hit the ball but not like this one," said Burt. "They all hit the ball hard -- every time -- and it's a byproduct of those drills."

Woodridge standout Amy Donze is one of the few pitchers to keep the Wildcats somewhat at bay. One of the seven hits she surrendered last month in a 4-1 loss was a homer, and she walked away impressed.

"They're like a summer travel team," said Donze. "Their ninth batter is just as dangerous as their leadoff hitter."

Keystone is accustomed to success with two state championships, six state runner-up finishes, 12 regional cham-

pionships, 25 district titles, 34 sectional crowns and 28 conference titles.

What the players want desperately more than home run publicity is a state title. They advanced to the championship game last season, and the 4-0 loss to Poland Seminary has left a lingering, sour taste.

Entering regionals next week, the Wildcats would love another crack at Poland Seminary ace and Tennessee recruit Erin Gabriel the following week in a state semifinal in Akron.

"Our girls aren't looking ahead but they want to play Poland so bad to show everyone they're the best team," said Burt. "They're so competitive and that's what I love so much about this team."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bfortuna@plaind.com, 216-999-4665

On Twitter: @BobFortuna

Power of the Wildcats

Here is a breakdown of Keystone's state-record 43 home runs this spring, which have been distributed among nine players.

KenzieConrad,senior, pitcher/first baseman: 10 home runs

ErinPond, senior, shortstop: 8

BriBuckley, senior, third baseman/catcher: 7

AlysonBroschk, senior, outfielder: 5

BeeShaw, senior, pitcher/second baseman: 5

AlishaSilva, senior, second baseman/outfielder: 4

CarleighHerrington, sophomore, first baseman/outfielder: 2

MelissaKnepper, junior, third baseman: 1

DanyelWhitacre, senior, catcher: 1

Highlights include Miami at Indians and NBA playoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

10:30 a.m. N.C. Education Lottery 200 practice, Speed Channel

Noon Sprint Showdown practice, Speed Channel

1:30 p.m. Sprint All-Star Race practice, Speed Channel

4 p.m. N.C. Education Lottery 200 qualifying, Speed Channel

5 p.m. Sprint Showdown qualifying, Speed Channel

6 p.m. Sprint All-Star Race qualifying, Speed Channel

8 p.m. N.C. Education Lottery 200, Speed Channel

BASEBALL

2:10 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs, WGN

7 p.m. Boston at Philadelphia. MLBN

7:05 p.m. Richmond at AKRON AEROS, AM/1350

7:05 p.m. Miami at INDIANS, STO; AM/1100

7:35 p.m. LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS at South Bend, AM/1330

BOXING

9 p.m. Raymond Serrano vs. Karim Mayfield, ESPN2

COLLEGE BASEBALL

1 p.m. Seton Hall vs. St. John’s, CBSSN

7:30 p.m. Purdue at Iowa, BTN

COLLEGE SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS

4:30 p.m. Kentucky vs. Michigan, ESPN2

5:30 p.m. Notre Dame vs. Hawaii, ESPNU

7 p.m. Valparaiso vs. Louisville, ESPN2

8 p.m. North Dakota State vs. Arizona, ESPNU

CYCLING

5 p.m. Tour of California, Stage 6, NBCSN

GOLF

8 a.m. Volvo World Match Play, Golf Channel

12:30 p.m. BMW Charity Pro-Am, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Byron Nelson Championship, Golf Channel

6:30 p.m. Sybase Match Play (tape), Golf Channel

HORSE RACING

4 p.m. Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, NBCSN

NBA PLAYOFFS

8 p.m. Boston at Philadelphia, ESPN

10:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, ESPN

The suit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans claims Goodell, "relied on, at best, hearsay, circumstantial evidence and lies" in making comments about Vilma while discussing the NFL's bounty investigation of the New Orleans Saints.

Jonathan Vilma's lawsuit claims NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made false statements about Vilma while discussing the NFL's bounty investigation of the Saints. Goodell has suspended Vilma for the entire season. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

NEW ORLEANS -- Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, claiming the league's top executive made false statements that tarnished Vilma's reputation and hindered his ability to earn a living playing football.

The suit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans claims Goodell, "relied on, at best, hearsay, circumstantial evidence and lies" in making comments about Vilma while discussing the NFL's bounty investigation of the New Orleans Saints.

Goodell has said Vilma was a leader of the team's bounty program that put up thousands of dollars for hits which took out opposing teams' star players from 2009-11, including $10,000 each on then-Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and then-Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre during the playoffs in 2010.

"Commissioner Goodell opted to make very public and unfortunately erroneous allegations against Jonathan," said Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg. "By making these false and public statements, he has significantly harmed Jonathan's reputation and ability to make a living.

"By suing Commissioner Goodell in court, Jonathan opted to use a fair playing field where he has procedural rights and protections to remedy the harm Commissioner Goodell has done to him."

Vilma wrote on his Twitter account that, "As I've said before..I NEVER PAID, NOR INTENDED TO PAY ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY, TO ANY PLAYER FOR INTENTIONALLY HURTING AN OPPONENT."

Goodell has suspended Vilma, an eight-year veteran and defensive captain, for the entire 2012 season. Vilma and three other current of former Saints who received shorter suspensions - defensive end Will Smith, defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove and linebacker Scott Fujita - all have appealed their punishments. Hargrove now plays for Green Bay while Fujita is with Cleveland.

"We have not yet reviewed the filing," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "However, our commitment to player safety and the integrity of the game is our main consideration. We recognize that not everyone will agree with decisions that need to be made."

The NFL also hired former federal prosecutor Mary Jo White in late 2011 to review its evidence in the case, and White has said the NFL's findings are corroborated by multiple independent witnesses as well as documentation.

Vilma's lawsuit, which is expected to be heard by Judge Ginger Berrigan, asks for unspecified monetary damages as well as punitive damage and attorneys fees.

The lawsuit states that Goodell, "knew and intended that Vilma would suffer severe emotional distress" when the NFL published its bounty report and handed down punishment for the 30-year-old linebacker.

"Vilma will soon have to leave behind the world of professional football and will likely face difficulties in obtaining other employment and entering into new ventures as a result of Goodell's false and defamatory statements," the lawsuit said. "Media will forever mention his name in the context of the Bounty investigation and fans will forever remember Vilma with ill repute rather than remember his substantial accomplishments on and off the field."

The players' association has said that the league has refused to turn over what the union would view as hard evidence that Vilma or the other sanctioned players tried to intentionally injure targeted opponents, or sponsored such behavior.

"It is certainly the case that in court, Jonathan will have a right to see whatever it is that Commissioner Goodell has been hiding from us and what Commissioner Goodell contends gave him a basis to make these false allegations," Ginsberg said. "We will have a fair and neutral judge to preside over the dispute rather than contending with the executioner also being the person making the final decision."

Vilma's lawsuit states that the linebacker "never `pledged,' made or received payments of any kind encouraging or resulting from an opposing player being injured."

The NFL found that former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams oversaw a bounty program in New Orleans from 2009 to 2011 which paid off-the-books cash bonuses of $1,500 for "knockouts," or hits which forced a player out of games, and $1,000 for "cart-offs," which left players needing help off the field.

The Saints have been punished harshly as an organization. Head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for all of 2012 for failing to put a stop to the program and attempting to cover it up, while general manager Mickey Loomis has been suspended eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt six games. The club also was fined $500,000 and docked two second-round draft picks.

Williams, now with St. Louis, has been suspended indefinitely.

Payton, Loomis and Williams all have issued written public apologies regarding the bounty scandal.

Wade and Spoelstra can deflect and deny, but that was a very public boiling point to what was a painful night for the Heat in a 94-75 Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers Thursday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

INDIANAPOLIS—Dwyane Wade and Erik Spoelstra stood face to face, looking more like two boxers promoting a fight than player and coach. They continued to exchange words and Wade’s Miami Heat teammates worked to quell the confrontation.

“Dwyane and I have been together for a long time,” Spoelstra said. “We’ve been through basically everything—a lot of different roles and a lot of different teams. That really is nothing.”

Wade’s response: “I don’t even know what y’all are talking about.”

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) and Dwyane Wade, right, leave the court after losing 94-75 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of their NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series, Thursday, May 17, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Wade and Spoelstra can deflect and deny, but that was a very public boiling point to what was a painful night for the Heat in a 94-75 Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers Thursday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The manner in which the Heat went down in the series, 2-1, was troubling at best. Wade was scoreless in first half—the first time that’s happened in his 95-game playoff career—and he wasn’t the only Heat star who struggled. After dropping 16 points in the first half, LeBron James scored just six in the second, and the Heat's supporting cast, with few exceptions, remained woeful.

Mario Chalmers, who missed a potential game-tying 3-point attempt for Miami in the waning seconds of Game 2, was the only Heat player to show any sense of urgency for long stretches and finished with 25 points.

But the Heat disappeared again in the third quarter, scoring fewer than 15 points in the period for the second straight game. Thursday in Indianapolis, they were outscored 26-12 in the third.

As Chalmers clawed for buckets, James remained passive and Wade continued his blunder-filled day. On top of his 2-for-13 shooting, Wade committed five turnovers, two of which were point-blank passes to Paul George that led to scores for the Pacers.

“Wade had an off night,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We can’t give Paul all the credit. He’s too good of a player to have shooting nights like he had tonight, but Paul is competing. He’s growing by the day.”

Wade, often thought of as a rock, was not unflappable on Thursday, and the Heat didn’t look like the best team on the floor for the first time in this series.

LeBron James had only six points in the second half as the Heat wilted. (AP Photo)

Fans congregated in a sea of yellow screamed, “he’s a flopper,” while Wade stood at the free-throw line. Wade pulled the shot and left it short before hitting the second. Those were the only free throws he attempted.

And while the Heat faltered, the Pacers surged.

Indiana is the anti-Heat. It relies on multiple players to produce in an efficient offense that rarely features an isolation call.

“Ball movement is your best friend,” Vogel said.

Pacers center Roy Hibbert was dominant, with 19 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks, exploiting the hole in the middle left by injured Heat forward Chris Bosh.

“Without him in the game, I can wander a little bit more,” Hibbert said of Bosh. “Tried to clog the lane a little bit more, blocking shots. But when he’s there, I have to respect his jump-shooting ability and driving ability.”

George, Danny Granger and George Hill also helped the Pacers’ offensive efficiency. George was 3-of-6, and Hill was a model of consistency with 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Granger made his mark from the 3-point line, finishing 3-of-6 from the arc with 17 points.

Still, Hibbert was the key to Indiana’s onslaught. He has often let his emotions catch up with him, but on Thursday, he scored, defended and kept his head down. He didn’t point to the crowd or become irate after a miscue.

The Pacers' big man attributed that newfound calm to a summer spent working out with Tim Duncan, whose Spurs have looked have unbeatable so far in the playoffs.

“There's strength in mental calm,” Vogel said, referring to Hibbert's performance.

The Heat could have used some of that quiet strength on Thursday night.

-- DeAntae Prince, Sporting News

This story originally appeared on SportingNews.com

The Cleveland Metroparks' Annual Children's Fishing Derbies on Saturday and Sunday are for kids 4 to 15 years old. There will be adult help, tackle available, bait provided and prizes to win.

Plain Dealer File PhotoThe Cleveland Metroparks' Annual Children's Fishing Derbies on Saturday and Sunday are being held at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights on Saturday; and Wallace Lake in Berea on Sunday.

If you have a kid who likes to fish, or just know a child who might yearn to wet a line, there are a lot of angling opportunities around town.

The Cleveland Metroparks' Annual Children's Fishing Derbies on Saturday and Sunday are for kids 4 to 15 years old. There will be adult help, tackle available, bait provided and prizes to win. The derbies are at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights on Saturday; and Wallace Lake in Berea on Sunday. Kids 4 to 8 years old fish from 9 a.m. to noon; 9- to 15-year-olds can cast from 1 to

4 p.m. It's free. Trout have been released at both locations.

“When the sun shines, we get a crowd,” said aquatic biologist Mike Durkalec. “Last year, more than 3,000 kids went fishing at the derbies, many of them for the very first time.”

The Goodyear Hunting and Fishing Club's Passport to Fishing class is at club waters, 1221 Wingfoot Lake Road, Suffield, on Saturday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Register with Lyle Jenkins (330-217-6561). The Firestone Metro Park has a Saturday kids fishing event from 10 a.m. to noon at Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Road, Akron.

The Youth Fishing Area's stocked ponds at the Division of Wildlife district office, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, open May 26 for Memorial Day weekend fishing. The special area is open weekends through Labor Day, providing bait, tackle and instruction.

A picnic and free kids fishing derby is June 3 at the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association grounds, 19300 Ridge Road, North Royalton. Bring a picnic basket, lawn chairs, rods and reels, but only worms for bait. The gates open at 9 a.m. The kids-only fishing derby is 1 to 3 p.m., followed by games and prizes.

The Fin opens No. 3: Fin Feather & Fur Outfitters is opening its third Ohio store May 30 in the Canton area. The fishing, hunting and shooting retailer's headquarters store is in Ashland. Owner Mike Goschinski opened the first satellite store last June in Middleburg Heights.

The new 25,000-square-foot store is at 4080 Belden Village St. N.W. in Jackson Township in the Belden Village Mall area. Goschinski said it was fueled by consumer demand.

“Many customers have said they wished we had a store closer to them,” said Goschinski.

He said the tremendous response to the Middleburg Heights location prompted the Canton-area store. Fin Feather & Fur Outfitters now has more than 180 employees and is Ohio's largest firearms retailer.

Shooters celebrate: The Western Reserve Friends of the National Rifle Association has its fifth annual reverse raffle and buffet May 25 at Mentor's LaMalfa Party Center. The group has a well-earned reputation for supporting local and national shooting sports and hunting programs, with area youth events a major beneficiary. For tickets, call 1-888-752-9119.

Yarbrough ready: Port Clinton's Greg Yarbrough and Jeff Seyka of Milford, Mich., lead a parade of pro walleye angling teams fishing Lake Erie today and Saturday in the Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit tournament in Huron. The pair checked 10 walleye weighing 84.54 pounds to win the MWC event last May on Lake Erie at Sandusky. Yarbrough was sixth last Saturday in the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour in Port Clinton.

The question this week, said Yarbrough, will be whether to fish west or east of the Huron River.

“There is a big population of walleye around the Lake Erie islands right now that are beginning to head east after the spawning season,” Yarbrough said. “We'll focus on those western walleye. I'm sure some fishermen will head east, hoping for big catches. If we boat a limit of big walleye early in the day, we might head east, too, looking to hit a home run.”

Lake Erie's water temperature is warming, ranging from 57 to 60 degrees. Yarbrough said trolling in-line spinners tipped with nightcrawlers will be the top fishing tactic. The weigh-ins at the Huron River Ramp begin at 4 p.m.

Volunteers needed: The 12th annual Berea Streamside Cleanup will target trash Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., and volunteers are needed. Meet at the Coe Lake Gazebo behind Berea City Hall.

Redbone returns: The Lake Erie Legends Redbone @ Large Fishing Tournament is June 22 at the Catawba Island Club on Catawba Island. The event benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Team entry is $1,100. Call Nate Cross, 216-475-CURE.

To contact this Plain Dealer reporter:

degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Lake Erie yellow perch and walleye fishing is good all along the Ohio shoreline, with trophy walleye a definite possibility while trolling spinner rigs and nightcrawlers in many near-shore areas.

Plain Dealer File PhotoLake Erie yellow perch are being caught in 30 feet of water off Wildwood State Park.

Lake Erie yellow perch and walleye fishing is good all along the Ohio shoreline, with trophy walleye a definite possibility while trolling spinner rigs and nightcrawlers in many near-shore areas. Trout have been stocked in many local lakes, including the Ohio & Erie Canal ponds and Wallace Lake for this weekend’s Children’s Fishing Derbies. Crappie, bluegill, bass and catfish are being caught from inland waters.

Cleveland area

Yellow perch are finally biting around Cleveland Harbor, with fair to good catches reported off the lighthouses and off the East 72nd Street dike in 25 to 36 feet of water on minnows worked along the lake bottom. Perch are also being caught in 30 feet of water off Wildwood State Park.

Anglers are catching walleye after dark by casting minnow-style plugs from piers and breakwalls and trolling near-shore waters, but action has slowed. Daytime walleye are scattered, being caught in 42 feet of water.

Crappie are hitting minnows suspended under a float in Cleveland Harbor, while rock bass are being taken on small jigs tipped with leeches. The crappie bite continues around Lake Erie bays and marinas on minnows worked under a float.

Perch are being caught off the Headlands Beach Pier, Avon Point and Lorain’s Beaver Park in 41 feet of water. Small perch have moved in off the Lorain Lighthouse. Big walleye are being caught from Vermilion to Avon Point in shallow water early and late in the day, and in 40-foot depths during the day. In-line spinner rigs in pink-white colors tipped with nightcrawlers have been good.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been good all along the Lake Erie shoreline. While catching them is legal, keeping bass is not until the season opens in late June.

Western Lake Erie

Walleye have moved off the spawning reefs of Western Lake Erie and are cruising deeper waters. Good catches have been reported off C and D cans north of the reefs, around North Bass Island, off the northeast corner of Middle Bass Island and along the east side of Kelleys Island. Look for very good walleye fishing from Huron to Vermilion.

Trolling with weighted in-line spinner rigs tipped with nightcrawlers has been the top technique, with minnow-style diving plugs also catching fish. The drift-and-cast fishing is heating up around Lake Erie islands, with some walleye relating to the deeper reefs and drop-offs.

Yellow perch fishing is heating up again off the Marblehead Lighthouse and the southeast and north sides of Kelleys Island. The perch bite between Vermilion and Huron has been good.

Rivers and streams

Spawning smallmouth bass are being caught in the lower stretches of the Rocky, Chagrin and Grand rivers on tube jigs, jig-leech, spinners and small spoons.

The white bass runs on the Sandusky and Maumee rivers continue to attract anglers. The walleye runs are winding down.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

The Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation ponds in Cuyahoga Heights and Wallace Lake in Berea are closed to fishing until after the Children’s Fishing Derbies on Saturday and Sunday. Stocked trout can be caught from Hinckley, Punderson, Shadow and Silver Creek lakes and Forest Hill Park Pond. Berkley PowerBait, salmon eggs and jig-maggots are popular baits.

Crappie fishing all around the area is good to excellent. Anglers are suspending minnows under a float, targeting near-shore structure, especially docks and sunken brush piles. Mosquito Lake crappie are in the spotlight, with good catches reported at Berlin, LaDue and Pymatuning lakes.

Big largemouth bass are hard to catch with females in postspawn mode. Smaller males are still biting with regularity around shoreline timber, drop-offs and other structure. Cast jigs with trailers, soft plastic lures — from plastic worms to flukes — and work spinnerbaits around near-shore weed beds.

Nimisila Lake’s redear sunfish are biting, with crappie and bass also being caught in water shallower than 6 feet. Atwood Lake saugeye are hitting jig-nightcrawler rigs, with crappie and catfish also being caught.

Fishing tournament

KSU LaDO Bass Series (LaDue Reservoir) How they finished: 1. Joe Filipowicz and P.J. Filipowicz, five bass, 9.54 pounds, $360; 2. Shane Ressler and Nick Borling, five, 9.04, $420; 3. Gary Pridemore and Mick Maloney, five, 8.99. Big Bass: Ressler and Borling, 3.72 pounds.

Boxing promoter Tim VanNewhouse's second pro show at LaVilla Grand Ballroom, 11500 Brookpark Road, in Cleveland is nearly sold out to its 1,200 capacity.

Promoter Tim VanNewhouse thinks he has lined up a winner for Saturday.

He said his second pro show at LaVilla Grand Ballroom, 11500 Brookpark Road, in Cleveland is nearly sold out to its 1,200 capacity.

“We have sold out of our online tickets,” said VanNewhouse, who has themed the show for Armed Forces Day. “Participating Discount Drug Mart Stores would be the best option to purchase a ticket.”

VanNewhouse said there is the possibility of a limited gate sale.

The six-bout club show has Cleveland’s Michael Moore (10-0, 6 KOs) taking on middleweight Michael Walker (19-13-3, 12 KOs), of Chicago, as its main event. Northeast Ohio fighters Antonio Nieves, Wilkins Santiago, Charlie Natal and Dante Moore are also slated for bouts.

The weigh-ins will be today at The Barley House on West Sixth Street in Cleveland at 4 p.m. They are open to the public.

Good going: It was a terrific week for Cleveland boxers, both pro and amateur.

Cleveland’s Willie Nelson proved his mettle by handing junior middleweight Yudel Jhonson (12-1, 8 KOs) his first loss, outpointing the Cuban fighter on all the scorecards, 95-94 and 97-92 twice. Both fighters were down in the action affair on Showtime’s “ShoBox” series from Las Vegas.

Nelson had Jhonson down for the first time in his career when he connected with a right hand in the second round. Jhonson returned the favor when he put Nelson on the canvas with a countering left.

The Cleveland fighter regained his composure and stayed active the rest of the way, landing 136 of 534 punches, according to statistics. Jhonson was credited with 77 of 377 punches.

It bodes well for the 25-year-old Nelson, trained by Youngstown’s Jack Loew at South Side Boxing Club.

Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain DealerCleveland'€™s Terrell Gausha earned a trip to the Olympics in London by winning the 165-pound division at the Americas Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

London-bound: Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha earned a trip to the Olympics in London by winning the 165-pound division at the Americas Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gausha, 24, capped off his South American odyssey by decisioning Junior Castillo of the Dominican Republic in the gold-medal bout, 6-2.

Moving on: Cashmere Jackson’s decision victory against Tiffany Walker in the 141-pound women’s final at Cleveland Golden Gloves on April 21 was her last amateur bout. Jackson, a two-time USA Boxing national champion, said she will be turning professional and soon plans to have her first bout in Florida under New Jersey-based management Seconds To Go Boxing.

Big numbers: HBO Sports reported 1.5 million pay-per-view buys for the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto match on May 5. It produced $94 million, second for a nonheavyweight PPV behind the $137 million for Oscar De La Hoya-Mayweather in 2007.

Tonight: The ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” are in Albany, N.Y., where junior welterweight Karim Mayfield (15-0-1, 8 KOs) takes on Raymond Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) at 9 p.m.

No show: Saturday’s rematch between WBA-IBF champ Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan was called off because Peterson tested positive for a banned substance during a pre-fight drug test.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Which wide receiver will have the best season for the Browns?

Lynn Ischay/The Plain DealerJosh Cribbs talks with Fred Nance, Browns general counsel.

We all know the Cleveland Browns didn't have the best wide receivers last season. The team didn't make that much of an improvement during the draft, but they did draft Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes wide receiver Travis Benjamin in the fourth round, with overall pick No. 100.

The team did sign free agent wide receiver Josh Cooper out of Oklahoma State, where he finished second on the team in receptions (71) last season.

So which receiver will have the biggest season?