The double-elimination tournament featuring the top eight teams in the MAC regular-season standings begins today at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, Plain Dealer file photoAll Pro Freight Stadium in Avon.

Today-Saturday

Where: All Pro Freight Stadium, home of the Lake Erie Crushers. Park is near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Ohio 611 in Avon.

What: A double-elimination tournament featuring the top eight teams in the MAC regular-season standings playing off for the league tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

When: First round today, elimination and winner's bracket games on Thursday and Friday. Saturday's championship time will be at 1 p.m. if both teams are undefeated in the tournament. If not, games will begin at 11:30 a.m. or noon.

Today's games: No. 4 seed Ohio vs. No. 5 Western Michigan, 9 a.m.; No. 3 Central Michigan vs. No. 6 Eastern Michigan, 12:30 p.m.; No. 2 Toledo vs. No. 7 Miami of Ohio, 4 p.m.; No. 1 Kent State vs. No. 8 Buffalo, 7:30 p.m..

What to watch: Top seed Kent State (37-17, 24-3 MAC) has won 13 straight games. Coach Scott Stricklin's Golden Flashes also have tied the 1992 KSU team's school record for most MAC wins in a season. Players to watch for KSU include senior catcher David Lyon, who is hitting .306 with a team- leading 10 homers and 38 RBI in 52 games; senior shortstop Jimmy Rider, who has a 16-game hit streak and is the MAC's all-time hits leader with 332; Avon Lake product Nick Hamilton, who is batting a team-leading .385 and has a .442 on-base percentage; and George Roberts, who leads the team with 50 RBI. The starting pitching staff is led by Walsh Jesuit's David Starn (8-3, 1.99 ERA), Strongsville's Ryan Bores (7-2, 3.32) and Walsh Jesuit's Tyler Skulina (9-2, 3.95).

Tickets: All-tournament passes are $35 for adults, $25 for youths and students. Day passes are $12 and $8. Evening passes, purchased after 5 p.m. on game days, are $8 and $6. Championship day passes are $6 and $5. Visit lakeeriecrushers.com/tickets/mac for more information.

More information: mac-sports.com

-- From staff reports

James scored 30 points, Wade added 28 and the Heat moved a win away from the NBA's final four with a 115-83 victory over the hurting Pacers on Tuesday night.

AP photoMiami Heat's Mario Chalmers (15), Joel Anthony, LeBron James (6) and Udonis Haslem (40) cheer late in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, in Miami on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

There isn't much room for error off the tee on this par 4.

View full size

Kartali didn't start playing golf until she was 67, so she had to wait only 14 years for an ace.

View full sizeSpecial to The Plain DealerRosemary Kartali: "I love (golfing). I love being outdoors. I love walking -- I never take a cart."

Nine questions with Rosemary Kartali, who recently scored the first hole in one of her career when she used a 3-wood to ace the 110-yard eighth hole at Cleveland's Mastick Woods. Kartali plays in the Thursday morning Meteors League.

Age: 81.

Residence: Strongsville.

1. So, tell us about your hole in one.

"It was a miracle, a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I didn't see it go in. One of the gals I was playing with said, 'It went in!' I thought it went over the green. I didn't know until I peeked in the hole."

2. Where did you grow up, and what did you do for a living?

"I was born near Buckeye Road and went to John Adams. I was a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic for almost 25 years on the medical-surgical VIP floor. King Hussein of Jordan was there. I was Billie Jean King's nurse for four days."

3. How old were you when you began playing?

"I was 67 when my friend, Jack Wolf, made me some clubs. At first, I thought golf was dumb."

4. Obviously, those feelings have changed.

"I love it. I love being outdoors. I love walking -- I never take a cart. It's challenging, and I love the ladies I play with."

5. You already told us you use custom-made clubs. Do you have a preference in the brand of golf ball you use?

"I was using Pinnacles. But I got the hole in one with a Precept."

6. What clubs do you have in your bag?

"Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood and all the irons -- 2 through pitching wedge."

7. Not many people carry a 2-iron any more.

"Oh, I've hit some good shots with that 2-iron. But I hit some flubbers, too. But I love my 9-iron."

8. What else do you like to do besides golf? Do you still drive a car?

"My, yes, I still drive. If they take my car away, I'll die. I love to read -- true crime stories and celebrity biographies. And I like to gamble a little bit."

9. Have you been to the Horseshoe Casino?

"We went to the casino. It was the loudest casino I've ever been in, and we've been in plenty. Music playing too loud. People yelling. It takes away from the beauty of the building. We've been to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Erie, Windsor, Mountaineer. I want to go to the new one in Toledo, probably next week."

-- Tim Rogers

Over the next week, MLS clubs will be engaged on multiple fronts. There are six games scheduled for Wednesday, including the Canadian Championship decider between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC, nine league games this weekend and then eight U.S. Open Cup matches May 29 and 30, when the 16 MLS clubs based in the U.S. will take on the minor league survivors from the second round.

View full sizeAP PhotoFC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea (20) attempts to control a pass during an MLS soccer game against the Seattle Sounders Wednesday, May 9, 2012, in Frisco, Texas. The Sounders won 2-0. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Call it the storm before the calm.

Over the next week, MLS clubs will be engaged on multiple fronts. There are six games scheduled for Wednesday, including the Canadian Championship decider between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC, nine league games this weekend and then eight U.S. Open Cup matches May 29 and 30, when the 16 MLS clubs based in the U.S. will take on the minor league survivors from the second round.

Then, quiet.

Under public pressure to lighten the load during international breaks, MLS has scheduled only two games during the first 15 days of June. There are seven MLS players on Jurgen Klinsmann’s preliminary 27-man U.S. national team roster and a host of others, from L.A. Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (Ireland) to Montreal Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (Jamaica), headed out on national team duty.

Among those clubs relieved by the impending break is Real Salt Lake, which tops the Sporting News power rankings for a second consecutive week. Captain Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando already are with the U.S. team, midfielder Will Johnson will join up with Canada and striker Álvaro Saborío will play with Costa Rica. Meanwhile, playmaker Javier Morales (quadriceps) will have the opportunity to get fully fit following an up-and-down spring.

Real Salt Lake will play host to FC Dallas (another club that could use a breather) on Saturday and won’t play another MLS game until June 16.

Rising

Cascadia competition. Last year marked the first since 1982 that a first-division professional league featured teams representing Portland, Vancouver and Seattle. The expansion Timbers and Whitecaps, however, didn’t present the established Sounders with much of a challenge for Cascadia dominance. In 2012, however, that’s changing.

The second-year Whitecaps were a 90th-minute goal from Sounders star Fredy Montero from beating Seattle last weekend.

Afterward, Vancouver midfielder Davide Chiumiento, when talking to The Province, had this to say about their rivals to the south: “They are a good team. But, really, players on (Seattle), they think they are better than everybody and, personally, I think they have a couple of good guys, but nothing special.

“They play like they already won the league, or like they've played, I don't know where. They are good, but not better than we are, and the game shows it."

MLS needs the rivalry between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver to be about more than culture and proximity. It needs to exist on the field and within the hearts of the players. The best rivalries in the world are personal. It looks like the Cascadian clubs are on their way.

Teal Bunbury. A lot was expected of the Sporting Kansas City striker this season. He had 11 MLS goals last year and showed the kind of speed and nose for the net that whets the appetite of U.S. national team fans.

“Boon-boo-ree” was an Internet meme and a T-shirt.

But this spring, he has been a bust. Bunbury had just one start and no goals before Saturday and wasn’t close to the national team picture after struggling with the Under-23s in March.

The 22-year-old needed a boost, and he finally got it just a minute into SKC’s game at Colorado when he ran unmarked through the penalty area and nodded Seth Sinovic’s cross into the Rapids net. Bunbury scored again in the 14th, emerging from a crowd to finish off a wayward punch from Colorado goalie Matt Pickens.

Bunbury barely celebrated. He is not where he wants to be yet. But his first start since opening day and his first two goals of '12 represent a good start.

“If you get one goal, it’s basically like the next 10 games you feel like you’re going to score every game,” he said via the league's website. “It’s definitely a thing for strikers. Once you start scoring, you feel like the goals are going to keep coming.”

Those words were prophetic—they came before Saturday’s game and referenced a two-goal performance in SKC’s recent reserve match vs. the Chicago Fire.

“Everything changed about him in that game,” SKC manager Peter Vermes said.

Now SKC has an additional weapon, and Bunbury might prove to be critical as Vermes’ team, which jumped out of the gate so quickly, looks to end a four-game winless streak.

Falling

Brek Shea. There was a time when the winger could do no wrong. He was the apple of Klinsmann’s eye, an MLS MVP candidate and an Arsenal trainee. But like just about everything else associated with FC Dallas this season, Shea has endured some hardship.

Maybe he’s tired. Maybe he’s in a slump. Maybe the injuries around him have taken their toll on his ability to consistently impact games. Maybe defenses have figured him out.

Whatever the reason, Shea hasn’t had much of an impact this spring. On Saturday, he let his frustration get the best of him after he was called for a foul in Columbus and kicked the dead ball at the assistant referee, hitting him from just a few feet away.

Shea was suspended for three games and, for the first time, was left off a U.S. roster by Klinsmann.

“We have watched Brek during the last few months, and given his performances and some of the other issues we felt he should be on the standby list,” Klinsmann said. “He’s still a young player with a lot of talent, and also a lot to learn.”

L.A.’s title defense. The Galaxy have officially hit bottom. The reigning champs are last in the Western Conference at 3-6-2 and saw their winless streak extended to five games with a 1-0 loss to Chivas USA, who hadn’t won a matchup between the rivals since '07.

Now Keane and Landon Donovan are off on national team duty, although as Galaxy coach Bruce Arena pointed out, it wasn’t like L.A. was winning with them on the field.

“It's not as much an issue as it is for the team to play better as a group. That's the challenge," Arena told the L.A. Daily News.

It won’t be easy for the Galaxy before the break. They play host to San Jose on Wednesday and then visit the Houston Dynamo in an MLS Cup final rematch on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).

The 3-6-2 record is the worst ever for a reigning MLS champ after 11 games and surely constitutes the most shocking start in league history.

"Of course I'm worried. We need to start winning games,” Arena said.

MLS rankings

(Last week's ranking in parentheses)

1. Real Salt Lake 8-3-2 (1)

2. New York Red Bulls 8-3-1 (4)

3. Seattle Sounders 7-2-2 (2)

4. San Jose Earthquakes 7-2-3 (3)

5. Sporting Kansas City 7-3-1 (5)

6. D.C. United 7-4-3 (9)

7. Vancouver Whitecaps 5-3-3 (7)

8. Houston Dynamo 3-3-4 (8)

9. Chicago Fire 4-3-3 (6)

10. Colorado Rapids 5-6-1 (10)

11. New England Revolution 4-6-1 (12)

12. Montreal Impact 3-6-3 (11)

13. Columbus Crew 3-4-3 (13)

14. Chivas USA 4-6-1 (15)

15. Portland Timbers 3-5-3 (18)

16. L.A. Galaxy 3-6-2 (14)

17. FC Dallas 3-6-4 (16)

18. Philadelphia Union 2-6-2 (17)

19. Toronto FC 0-9-0 (19)

The team from Kirtland Country Club will be looking to win its third consecutive team championship.

View full sizeCourtesy of Grubb & EllisAcacia Country Club in Lyndhurst is the site of the first of this year's Cleveland Women's Golf Association match-play events.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Women's Golf Association will begin its 89th season Thursday when the first of five match-play team events is played at Acacia Country Club in Lyndhurst.

The team from Kirtland Country Club will be looking to win its third consecutive team championship, but it's a long way between May and late July, when the final event will be held at Westwood and the championship is clinched. In between, three team events will be played at The Country Club, Elyria and Canterbury.

Westwood and Country challenged Kirtland last year -- finishing second and third, respectively.

Sharing in NOGA: The Avon Oaks team of Frank Guise and Gary Eckert shot a day's-best 69 on Monday to earn a share of the Senior Division championship of the Northern Ohio Golf Association's 36-hole Four-Ball Championship at Club Walden. After opening with a 73 at Firestone North on May 14, Guise and Eckert's second round gave them a total of 142 and pulled them into a tie with Weymouth's Jim Corcoran and George Pappas (71-71). The team of Brent Belles (Congress Lake) and Tom Gallagher (Barrington) won the "A" Division title with a score of 74-70--144.

More NOGA: The organization, in its 95th year, will stage the qualifying round for its Interclub Team Championship on Tuesday at Sand Ridge. Executive Director Scotte Rorabaugh said he expects 26 teams to enter. Teams consist of six players, with the top four scores being used. The top 16 teams will qualify for the first round of match play and be seeded by score. Four rounds of match play will ensue, culminating with the finals at Congress Lake in late September.

Mixing golf and business: Firestone Country Club and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational will host the inaugural Executive Women's Day on July 31, offering attendees behind-the- scenes looks at one of the nation's premier golf events while promoting networking, mentoring and professional growth.

The day will include a breakfast with national corporate leaders, an exclusive tour of the famed South Course, lunch with former tour pro Renee Powell and an opportunity to play the North Course.

Guest speakers include Virginia Albanese, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Custom Critical; Jennifer Deutsch, executive vice president/general manager of Doner Advertising; and Christine Karbowiak, chief administrative officer of Bridgestone Americas, Inc. WOIO Channel 19 news anchor Romona Robinson will serve as moderator. The event will include a tour of the media center, hospitality areas and the ShotLink truck. For more information, call tournament services manager Meghan Costello at 330-644-2299.

For the veterans: Firestone also will be the site for the second annual "Clearview H.O.P.E." (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program for Northern Ohio female military veterans Saturday. The cost-free program gained regional and national prominence last year and is designed to provide a recreational and therapeutic golf experience for the veterans. For more information, call 330-488-0404.

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

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

SCOUTING HIGH SCHOOL REGIONAL TRACK At stake: The top four in each event qualify for the state tournament, June 1-2, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ohio State University, Columbus.

Avon Lake’s Francesco Maiorca is one of several runners who will race in a competitive 800. - (Gus Chan, PD)

SCOUTING HIGH SCHOOL REGIONAL TRACK

At stake: The top four in each event qualify for the state tournament, June 1-2, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ohio State University, Columbus.

Admission: $6.

Division I

AMHERST

Where, when: Amherst High, Richard S. Cooley Track, 450 Washington St., Amherst. Today, 4 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. Call 440-988-4433.

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

Boys outlook: A mini state tournament as St. Edward and Berea jockey for position in a run for the state title. Berea senior Donovan Robertson is trying to win four events. He's the defending state champ in both hurdles and is closing in on the state records at both distances (110 and 300 meters). The 100 and 200 dashes will be a showdown between Robertson, St. Edward junior Anthony Young (the defending 200 state champ) and Rhodes' Ernest Levert. Young also runs on the standout 4x100 and 4x200 relays. The race to watch could be the 800. Last week, Avon Lake's Francesco Maiorca (1:54.81) won a dead sprint to the finish against Medina's Robert Robinson, Berea's Connor McKnight and Midpark's Lou Styles. Led by Midpark junior Aaron Jones, the pole vault field has considerable depth -- and height. Jones has cleared 16-0 this season.

Girls outlook: Lorain has the one-two punch of Alicia Arnold in the 200, with Melody Farris in the two hurdles. They also will give the Titans big efforts in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Medina returns veteran Anna Boyert in the 800 and 1,600, with the top state team in the 4x800. Brunswick's Brianna Neitzel is strong in the 100 and 400, with Rocky River's Elyse Bierut the class in the 3,200. Avon Lake junior Christine Bohan qualified in discus, shot put, high jump and pole vault. Bay senior Amelia Strickler won discus and shot at district.

AUSTINTOWN

Where, when: Austintown-Fitch High, Fitch Falcon Stadium, 4560 Falcon Dr., Austintown. Today, 4 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. Call 330-797-3900.

Who: Qualifiers from Mentor, North Canton, Nordonia and Youngstown districts.

Boys outlook: The meet features some of the state's best junior sprinters: Solon's Khoury Crenshaw, Cleveland Heights' Shelton Gibson, Hudson's Leighton Antonio and Kenston's Darryl Richards. Crenshaw won Nordonia district titles in the 100 (10.55) and 200 (21.48) last week. Also on hand are three standout long jumpers: Firestone's Evan Payne, Cleveland Heights' Bryce Jones and Solon's Darian Hicks. The 1,600 field is loaded with a half-dozen sub-4:20 runners and led by Copley's Nick Pupino and Twinsburg's Garrett Crichlow, who both broke 4:15 last week as Pupino edged Crichlow at Nordonia. Solon's Rod Jackson is among the state's top hurdlers.

Girls outlook: West Geauga junior Chantel Richardson has the top state time in the 100 hurdles at a record 13.58. She also is the main threat in the 300 hurdles and long jump. Euclid will rely on seniors Artia Gunn and Taylor Rambo in sprints and hurdles, with senior Emily Sweet strong in the 3,200. Solon junior Therese Haiss is on game in the 800 and 1,600. Willoughby South senior Maria Romano took the discus and shot at district. Cleveland Heights and Chardon are sharp in sprint relays. Bedford freshman Tiara Stephens won the 100 at district. Sprinters Arnita Johnson and Emani Griffin will give Buchtel strength in relays. Shaker Heights senior Naleta Andrews looks to peak in the 400, with Brecksville-Broadview Heights senior Veronica Thompson challenging. Nordonia junior Taylor McDonald will double in both hurdles, and Hudson junior Paige Szabat goes in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Division II

BEDFORD

Where, when: Bedford High, Bearcat Stadium, 475 Northfield Road, Bedford. Thursday, 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. Call 216-421-2080.

Who: Qualifiers from Perry, Midview (girls), Lakeview and Salem districts.

Boys outlook: Orange's Will Carter and Central Catholic's Keith Hemphill are four-event threats. Both run on quick 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Hemphill just ran a 48.55 400 and also is on the 4x400 relay. Carter is a 200 and long-jump standout. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy's 4x800 relay is among the state's best. Woodridge's Drake Sulzer vs. Lakeview's Eric Harris should be an entertaining 1,600. Chagrin Falls sophomore Antonio Conte cleared 6-8 in the high jump last week.

Girls outlook: St. Vincent-St. Mary comes in off a huge team win at Salem, with six record efforts. SVSM's Chelsea Laury in the 400, Tessa Weigand in the 800 and relay specialists Imani Davis and Kyla Crater give the Irish strong efforts across the board. Senior Megan Tomei is a field specialist in discus and shot. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin senior Rachel Hahn doubled in the 1,600 and 3,200 at district. Perry sophomore Dana Crofoot won the 200 and earned second in the 100 and long jump at district. She will duel with Orange's Brianna Johnson in both sprints. Vermilion senior Emily Cunningham looks to return to state in the 100 and 200, with added roles in both sprint relays. Laurel senior Ellen Kuerbitz is a mile ace, challenging CVCA's Sammy Bockoven, who doubled in the 1,600 and 3,200 at district.

LEXINGTON

Where, when: Lexington High, 103 Clever Lane, Lexington. Thursday, 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. Call 419-884-1111.

Who: Only area teams are the boys squads from the Midview district.

Outlook: Elyria Catholic pole vaulter Lucas Ball cleared 15-0 at the district last week. Holy Name junior sprinter Andre Husain is among the top 200 qualifiers (22.43). Buckeye junior distance ace Ryan Gallagher was the Midview district champ in the 1,600 and 3,200 and advanced in the 4x800. Black River's John Guilford is among the top discus qualifiers and also advanced in the long jump.

Division III

NAVARRE

Where, when: Fairless High, Barry Askren Memorial Track, 11885 Navarre Road, Navarre. today, 4 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. Call 330-767-3444.

Who: Qualifiers from Independence, New Middletown, Norwayne and Newcomerstown districts.

Boys outlook: Villa Angela-St. Joseph junior Devon Bolden is the top 100 qualifier (10.99), and senior Marcellus Embry is the top 200 qualifier (22.03), and they are on the top-qualifying 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Berkshire's Matt Pelletier is the second-fastest 1,600 qualifier and part of a very competitive 3,200 field that includes Independence standout Ryan Polman. Independence also features a promising freshman 400 runner, Brian Calvey (49.67).

Girls outlook: Gilmour won its 10th straight district. Junior Alexis Anton is strong at the middle-distance 800, with contributions in middle relays. Sophomore Halle Markel excels in the 3,200. Junior Briah Owens is a sprint specialist. Trinity sophomore Amber Eles is a threat in both hurdles. The Tupta sisters, freshman Molly and junior Rose, add depth in the sprint relays. Rittman sophomore Tresa Hartzler is a middle-distance ace in the 800 and 1,600. Hawken sophomore Alexandra Markovich will challenge in the 1,600 and also will go in 3,200.

-- Joe Maxseand Tim Warsinskey

Division I AKRON

Keystone's Erin Pond. - (PD)

Division I

AKRON

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

Semifinals: Willoughby South (21-4) vs. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (23-6), today, 5 p.m.; Aurora (23-5) vs. Medina (22-4), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Wide open field since defending state champion/No. 1-ranked North Canton Hoover was moved to the Columbus regional. South has a productive offense, led by Nicole Motuza, Kayla Sidorski, Vic Scott and Morgan Stohlman, but is averaging two errors a game. That won't do against a young Brecksville team, which has been paced by Alexis Mack, Dani and Nikki D'Anna and veteran pitcher Kristen Lang. Aurora has excelled under first-year coach Micaela Minner, and is a seasoned team with veterans Austin Vitz, Ashlee Ling, Lauren Bowen and rookie Nicole Doyle. No. 9-ranked Medina has the advantage of playing in the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division and bumping heads with regional qualifiers Elyria and North Royalton. Vanessa Scoarste, Maria Vanadia, Madi Tata and Bobbi Langlois have carried the offense, while Langlois' off-season dedication to pitching has increased her velocity and improved her mental approach.

PD pick: Medina over Willoughby South.

CLYDE

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

Semifinals: North Royalton (24-5) vs. Toledo Notre Dame Academy (16-9), today, 5 p.m.; Elyria (24-2) vs. Perrysburg (19-8), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: North Royalton, making its third regional appearance but first since 2008, defeated Notre Dame on a cold, rainy day almost a month ago. This week's forecast calls for more suitable softball weather. Allison Smolinski, Lauren Oster and Kristen Koch lead the Bears' offense, and Carly Gurka has sparkled on the mound. Cassie Gillespie gives Notre Dame a good mound presence, and Katie McKenty and Jenna Inman lead a team that has eight starters back from last year. Perennial power Elyria is ranked No. 3 in the state for a number of reasons, beginning with pitchers Caitlyn Minney and Alyssa Barker. The supporting cast includes Alanna Williams, Melanie Woodard, Marie Masters and Darien Ward. Perrysburg will go as far as pitcher Felicia Eisenbrandt takes it. Eisenbrandt is not overpowering, but is good at inducing groundballs. The top of Perrysburg's order, led by Cammy Messenger, Kimmy Granata, Katie Dunphy and Ty Wilson, can do plenty of damage.

PD pick: Elyria over North Royalton.

Division II

AKRON

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

Semifinals: Archbishop Hoban (14-15) vs. Lake Catholic (23-4), today, 5 p.m.; Woodridge (27-2) vs. Poland Seminary (24-2), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: The Knights are facing a Lake Catholic team that has beaten them twice. Pitchers Katlyn Constance and Kate Boylan will have their hands full because the Cougars are loaded with offense, led by Savannah and Liz Karako, Katlyn Spahar, Anissa Kotoch, Hannah Skrbis and Bonnie Zappitelli. Hoban standouts Kaleigh Roop, Johanna Nicodemus, Natalie Bender and Lisa Harris need to figure out Zappitelli, who is having a banner season on the mound. No. 3-ranked Woodridge meets defending champ and second-ranked Poland Seminary. Pitcher Amy Donzel has been solid for Woodridge but she, along with Heather and Samantha Schneider, Erica Huntsman, Allison King and Meridith Chopka, face a tough task. Erin Gabriel swings a good bat, but is a Tennessee recruit because of her pitching. Jenna Modic is also dangerous with the bat and is the backup pitcher.

PD pick: Poland Seminary over Lake Catholic.

BUCYRUS

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

Semifinals: Keystone (28-0) vs. Bellville Clear Fork (20-10), today, 5 p.m.; Newark Licking Valley (22-5) vs. Lima Shawnee (20-6), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Top-ranked Keystone is the reigning state runner-up, so there is unfinished business. With Kenzie Conrad on the hill, one or two runs are usually enough because she, along with Erin Pond, Bri Buckley, Alyson Broschk, Bee Shaw and Alisha Silva have accounted for 34 of the team's state-record 43 home runs. Clear Fork has qualified for the final four twice in the past three seasons, and returns Macey Ruhl, Katie Palmer, Taylor Kline, Jenna Jones and Anna Myers, though those state-tourney bids came in Division III. No. 7-ranked Licking Valley reached its second regional in four years with an advanced freshman group, led by Kori Caughenbaugh, Sierra McConnell, Shelby McCombs, Carley Skeese and Kori Locke. Valley's experience is on the mound with senior Kindle Crossley. Shawnee reached its third consecutive regional with pitcher Sam Bullock, although she is on a pitch count because of off-season elbow surgery. Britt Lauck, Rebecca Rader, Mo Truxal, Shelby Lucas and Tori Runneals have been outstanding on offense and defense.

PD pick: Keystone over Lima Shawnee.

Division III

MASSILLON

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

Semifinals: Canton Central Catholic (22-5) vs. Black River (21-9), today, 5 p.m.; Warren Champion (20-2) vs. East Palestine (21-6), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: Regional rookie Central Catholic has a dynamic sister duo in sophomore leadoff hitter Caitlin Gambone and senior/No. 3 hitter Lauren Gambone. Lauren is a catcher with an exceptional arm, so Black River -- also making its regional debut -- can't stray too far off the bases. Dagmar Smith is having another phenomenal season on the mound and with the bat. She joins Kailey Summers, Jessica Chidsey, Hannah Messenger, Nora Smith and battery mate Taylor Goff to give the Pirates plenty of offense. Playing solid defense is a must. Fifth-ranked Champion is defending its state title and has the experience in pitcher Lindsay Swipas, plus a supporting cast of Alison Sorber, Darian Rogers, Brooke Culler, Emilee Hohvart, Haley McAllister, Nikki Flynn, Mackenzie Kiser, Lexi Nasonti and Kenzie Goranitis. East Palestine, making its first regional appearance in any girls sport since 1987, is led by pitcher Carly Pence, the Bulldogs' single-season record-holder for wins. Logan Gatchel and Carly Blair are threats on offense.

PD pick: Warren Champion over Black River.

Division IV

KENT

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

Semifinals: Jackson-Milton (24-4) vs. Vienna Mathews (22-5), today, 5 p.m.; Our Lady of the Elms (17-5) vs. Crestline (17-13), Thursday, 5 p.m.

Finals: Saturday, noon.

What to watch: No. 2-ranked Jackson-Milton got over a huge hump by defeating fourth-ranked Berlin Center Western Reserve in the district final, avenging two regular-season losses. Caitlyn Carney and Zaina Shali have been clutch for the Bluejays -- who have never played in a final four -- as has been pitcher Paije Kiraly. Right-handed pitcher Cheyenne Eggens hasn't played like a freshman in helping Vienna Mathews go deep in the postseason, while junior Tabitha Granelly has provided veteran leadership. Elms made school history during the basketball season with its first district title. The Panthers have one of the more dangerous batteries in the region with pitcher Emily Scupholm and catcher Kaitlin Morse. Morse is a game-breaker who entered the week with 15 home runs and 63 RBI. Emily and Hailey Scupholm, Rachel Tustin, Taylor Schmidt and Lexi Collins are productive, too. Crestline got to its sixth regional in 10 years by relying on pitching ace Natalie Sayre, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this season.

PD pick: Jackson-Milton over Our Lady of the Elms.

-- Bob Fortuna

The Browns' Scott Fujita again denies involvement in New Orleans' bounty system and says he will fight to restore his reputation, Bill Livingston writes. Watch video

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns linebacker Scott Fujita faces the media on the first day of Browns OTAs in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio -- Crime and punishment in the NFL coincided with the private time Scott Fujita had planned with his wife, Jaclyn, and his newborn daughter, Marlowe. "It should have been time with my family," said Fujita, the Browns' veteran linebacker.

Instead, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the law east of the Hudson River, handed down penalties for the New Orleans Saints' bounty system at the same time. Fujita, a member of the Saints' Super Bowl championship team in 2009 -- as well as an outspoken advocate of safety measures for NFL players -- drew a three-game suspension for the coming season. It was the lightest sentence of anyone allegedly involved in the vicious program, but any connection with the scandal comes at high cost.

"My reputation is worth more than three game checks," said Fujita.

He stands to lose $214,705.88 per week, based on a 17-week salary of $4,650,000. But on a gray, cool Tuesday afternoon in Berea, Fujita was front and center in maintaining his innocence. Fujita referred repeatedly to his formal statement on the bounty allegations, in which he said he contributed money to a locker-room pot for big plays, not for injuring opponents.

Maybe the Saints have been wronged by the concerted effort of a vengeful commissioner determined to punish severely even the hint of such savagery in a time of increased concern over the toll pro football takes on players' health.

But probably not.

The audio tape of eternally disgraced former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who has been suspended indefinitely, is damning. It is hard to hear it and hard to rationalize your way around what he implores his players to do. Williams' pep talk to the defense occurred before the Saints lost a playoff game at San Francisco last season.

It seems disingenuous, however, to think a kinder, gentler Williams was running the Saints' defense in the Super Bowl season of 2009. The Saints gave Brett Favre a beating in the NFC Championship Game that season that distorted "physicality" into a brutal exhibition that lacked only lions and Christians.

"Kill the body and the head will die," Williams said, urging players to give head shots to 49ers running back Frank Gore. "We want him running sideways. We want his head sideways."

Maybe Fujita was out of the room?

"From high school, college to the NFL, you hear guys say stuff," said Fujita.

OK, maybe he wasn't.

Before the San Francisco game, the Saints also heard Williams say his players should deliver a "remember me" shot to 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, take out wide receiver Michael Crabtree's ACL (knee ligament), "knock the [expletive] out of halfback Kendall Hunter" and "put a lick on" receiver Kyle Williams, a victim of several previous concussions.

"You say, 'Hey, the guy's crazy,' " Fujita said.

Jonathan Vilma, Fujita's former Saints teammate who drew the heaviest player penalty with a one-season suspension, has filed a defamation suit against Goodell. Fujita lauded Vilma's "high character." It's not hard to think all the suspended players will eventually sue, including Anthony Hargrove, serving an eight-game suspension, and former Ohio State star Will Smith, serving four games.

The basis of the players union's grievance is to question the scope of Goodell's authority and jurisdiction. Does the commissioner have the authority to rule on incidents that occurred before the new collective bargaining agreement last season made him judge and jury? And do bounties constitute off-field violations in the collection of money in the locker room, which is in Goodell's jurisdiction, or violations in hits delivered on the field, which is not?

Maybe Fujita will be exonerated, or maybe he will be revealed as just another sports hypocrite.

The ancient Romans believed in a god of doorways named Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward, one back.

"I can go to bed each night and look at myself in the mirror," said Fujita.

But which face looks back at the end of the day? The one for the lady or the tiger?

Highlights include Tigers at Indians, Ohio State baseball, Columbus Crew soccer and NBA and NHL playoff games.

Paul with chat with Cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's win over the Detroit Tigers last night and preview the remaining two games of the series. He will also talk about Ubaldo Jimenez's performance last night.

Paul Hoynes answers your Indians questions on Wednesdays at noon.

Get your Indians questions ready and join Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes today at noon as he talks Indians baseball.

Paul with chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's win over the Detroit Tigers last night and preview the remaining two games of the series. He will also talk about Ubaldo Jimenez's performance last night.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Hoynsie's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Nebraska and Ohio State will go on a four-year drought.

PD fileUrban Meyer

After this year's game, Nebraska and Ohio State will not play each other again until 2017. And reporter Doug Lesmerises writes on Cleveland.com how that means next year's incoming class (unless they redshirt) will never play Nebraska in a regular-season game.

An eight-game conference schedule that includes playing division opponents and one crossover opponent (Michigan for the Buckeyes) each year creates a necessity for a four-year break for some series, writes Lesmerises.

Big Ten teams play two of the other five teams in the opposite division. So there are three conference foes that Big Ten teams don't play each season.  

How big of a deal is it for Ohio State not to play Nebraska for four years?

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are Dawg Pound Daily, Wahoo's On First and Slam Online.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

"As of right now, Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi are the starting wide receivers, but rookie Travis Benjamin is especially intriguing because of his speed. There is no way he is a starter, but if he improves on his routes, he could be very useful for the Browns.

The team is also hoping that wide receiver Carlton Mitchell can make an impact this season, especially with Weeden slinging the ball around. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver has 4.4 speed, but the Browns have been waiting for him to breakout for two seasons. This has to be the year that Mitchell shows them something."

AP Photo/Winslow TownsonWould Kevin Youkilis be a good fit for the Tribe?

"Third base is a little trickier, but ultimately bringing in Youkilis to play the hot corner wouldn’t make much sense either. It’s easy to see third as a position of weakness (pun intended) after seeing Jose Lopez there for the last week—yes, he’s on a hot streak, but there’s no way he keeps this up—but he is not the Tribe’s starting third baseman. Jack Hannahan, he of the famed glove and penchant for big hits, should be back in the lineup any day now, and top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall is currently sporting a .946 OPS at Triple-A. Youkilis might be the Tribe’s best option at third were he on the roster, but again that’s not a given and it wouldn’t be worth the Indians’ while to give up much of anything to plug him in at the hot corner.

The only place where Youkilis would really make sense for the Indians is first base. Incumbent starter Casey Kotchman is hitting just .225/.303/.341—and that’s after a 3-for-4 game against the Tigers. He’s been one of the Tribe’s worst hitters while playing a premium offensive position, yet except for those games when Carlos Santana gets moved out from behind the plate Kotchman is still Cleveland’s best in-house option at first. This is what makes the idea of trading for Youkilis compelling."

"On Tuesday last week, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s former teammate at St. Patrick’s High School in New Jersey was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. The presentation took place just down the street from where he was working out. Before making his way into the weight room with Coach Purtor, I asked MKG if Kyrie Irving had offered him any advice heading into this NBA Draft process.

“That’s my best friend,” Kidd-Gilchrist said of last year’s No. 1 overall pick. “I talked with him earlier today actually, and he just told me that the NBA is a man’s League. He said to just take my time with everything, off the court and on the court stuff, and just take my time in general. But most importantly, he just said to continue to keep working hard."

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker is excited about joining the Cleveland Browns. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's rare for a free agent to sign with a rival within the same division, but defensive end Frostee Rucker, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, did just that when he signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Joining the Browns is actually a bonus for Rucker because of his familiarity in playing against the Browns twice a year. During the OTAs on Tuesday, Rucker talked about how he will contribute to the team.

We also find out why Rucker is a bigger fan of Orange Leaf yogurt instead of Wendy's Frosty.

When will the fans start coming out to support the Tribe? Did Ubaldo Jimenez get back on track? The Plain Dealer's Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizePD filePaul Hoynes talks about Chris Perez's comments and the fan's reaction.

When will the fans start coming out to support the Tribe? Did Ubaldo Jimenez get back on track?

The Plain Dealer's Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

Among other topics discussed:

• Chris Perez's comments

• Jason Kipnis struggling.

• Shin-Soo Choo in the lead off spot.

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to follow Hoynes on Twitter.

Will Browns be better but still not good enough to leave the AFC North cellar?

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur and team president Mike Holmgren.

It's way too early to predict the finish in the AFC North this coming season, but the so-called experts at ESPN believe the Cleveland Browns will finish last in the division, and the Baltimore Ravens or the Cincinnati Bengals will finish first.

Jamison Hensely writes on his ESPN AFC North blog:

Herm Edwards: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers and Browns. "There's a lot of change in Pittsburgh right now and I'm sorry, Cleveland, that's where you sit."

 

The biggest surprise is unaninmous pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers to finish third in the AFC North.

Herm Edwards and Marcellus Wiley praised the Browns for improving, but not enough to finish out of the cellar in the division. Edwards and Wiley may have a point, since the Browns have finished last four of the past five seasons (third in 2010). 

But this could be the Browns' breakthrough season, right?

More Cleveland Browns

Scott Fujita fighting to restore his reputation (Cleveland.com).

Fujita is optimistic (Ohio.com).

Colt McCoy wants a fair shot at starting job (Cleveland.com).

Brandon Weeden vs. Colt McCoy (The News-Herald).

Cleveland Browns caption contest (WFNY).

More age and numbers related to Weeden (CantonRep.com).

Rookie John Hughes is all in during his first OTA (Cleveland.com).

The Cavaliers lottery party will return to Cadillac Ranch in downtown Cleveland at 7 p.m. May 30 as fans gather to see whether 15-year-old Nick GIlbert can work his magic again and earn the No. 1 pick for the team for the second year in a row.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter/ The Plain DealerThe Cavaliers lottery party will return to Cadillac Ranch in downtown Cleveland on May 30 as fans gather to see whether 15-year-old Nick Gilbert can work his magic again and earn the No. 1 pick for the team.

The Cavaliers lottery party will return to Cadillac Ranch in downtown Cleveland on May 30 as fans gather to see whether 15-year-old Nick Gilbert can work his magic again and earn the No. 1 pick for the team.

Cavs broadcasters and legends Austin Carr, Campy Russell and Jim Chones, along with Cavs radio play-by-play announcer John Michael, will host the proceedings, which begin at 7 p.m. and will include all of the team's game-night entertainment squads. Cavs flagship station WTAM 1100 will broadcast live sports director Mike Snyder and sportscaster Andre Knott.

The Cavs, who finished tied for the third-worst record in the league, have one lottery pick this year, which could be as high as No. 1 and no worse than No. 6. Last year, with Nick Gilbert representing the team on stage in New Jersey, the Cavaliers won the lottery with a pick acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a trade. That pick had just a 2.8 percent chance of winning.

Fans are encouraged to follow @CavsNick (Nick Gilbert) and @CavsDan (Dan Gilbert) for lottery and continuing draft updates, fun and special promotions.

Plain Dealer OSU reporter says both schools like the game played in the middle of the day, and that time best serves the game's tradition. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough and featuring today's guest, Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises.

The Big Ten released its future football schedules this week, and the divisional rotation will mean that Ohio State will go four years without playing Nebraska. If there is a team Ohio State should go without playing for four years, which team in the Legends Division would you like that to be? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Doug has thoughts on that topic, as well as what the four-year hiatus might mean for Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, a Youngstown native who would like to pull top players out of the state of Ohio.

He also talks about Tuesday's announcement that this year's Ohio State vs. Michigan game will be played at noon, and whether the game should be played in prime time each year; and where Buckeye basketball standout Jared Sullinger will end up going in the draft.

SBTV returns Thursday.

The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot talks about the Browns' quarterback situation with CineSport's Noah Coslov.

Browns quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden were on the field together for the first time at Browns OTAs in Berea on Tuesday. But is it a quarterback controversy, a competition or none of the above?

The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot talks about that and more with CineSport's Noah Coslov. For more videos from CineSport, go here.

Fister made six total starts for Seattle and Detroit against the Indians last season. He was 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA, striking out 38, walking five and allowing just 27 hits in 39 innings.

Associated PressDoug Fister pitches for the Tigers against the Indians tonight. Cleveland hitters had a .193 batting average against Fister in 140 at bats last season.

With the win, the Indians are 24-18. The Tigers, who, incredibly, haven't won consecutive games in more than a month, are 20-22. The wildly spending Tigers, whose $132 million payroll is the fifth-highest in the majors and $54 million more than the Indians, haven't exactly hit the ground running this season.

After winning the division by 15 games last season, the Tigers so far this season are toothless.

Since April 19, their record is 11-19.

So you're saying there is a chance? You betcha.