Tribe faces hurlers such as the Angels' Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, and Tampa's Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore and James Shields this week. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has a .310 team batting average over the last four weeks. More Indians story links.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerJered Weaver pitches tonight for the Angels in Cleveland. He's the first of several tough starters the Indians will face in the last week prior to the All-Star break.

Weaver, at 8-1, ranks second in the AL with a 2.31 ERA and first with a 0.92 WHIP and .193 opponent batting average.

He has excelled in two starts since coming off the disabled list, where he went with a lower back strain. The righty has thrown 12 2/3 innings in that span, giving up one run on eight hits, and beat the Orioles on Wednesday in his last start.

Jimenez (7-6, 4.69 ERA) rolls into July after a month in which he recorded a 2.78 ERA in five starts. On Wednesday, he held the Yankees to four hits and struck out seven in six innings but gave up four runs and walked four.

Popular guard Manny Harris was waived by the Cavaliers on Monday.

Plain Dealer FileManny Harris played two season with the Cavaliers as an undrafted rookie free agent.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers waived guard Manny Harris on Monday, general manager Chris Grant announced.

Although he seemed to be a fan favorite, the former Michigan star played only a limited role with the Cavs, averaging 6.7 points on .400 shooting, with 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.5 minutes per game in 26 games (five starts) last season. In his two seasons with the Cavs, Harris, 22, averaged 6.2 points on .383 shooting with 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 17.3 minutes per game in 80 games (20 starts.)

Lighty undecided: Former Ohio State star David Lighty, who worked out for the Cavs last week, said Monday he was expecting to take part in the summer league in Las Vegas with either Atlanta for Phoenix. A final decision is expected later this week.

Is Ben Watson primed for a big season in a contract year?

Chuck Crown, The Plain DealerBen Watson has proved to be a good catch for the Browns.

Which tight end will be the key to the Cleveland Browns' success in 2012?

Pro Football Weekly reporter Mike Wilkening writes how Ben Watson is the favorite to stand out for the Browns among the tight ends, but he will receive a push from Evan Moore and Jordan Cameron:

The 6-3, 255-pound Watson would seem probable to have a role of some consequence in the offense provided he can stay on the field and if he plays at a starter-caliber level, the way we hear it, with training camp likely telling in that regard. He led the Browns in catches, yards and targets in 2010 but suffered three concussions a season ago and missed three games. Watson, 31, is entering his ninth NFL season. He is due $2.88 million in salary in '12 and is in the final year of his contract.

Being in the final year of his contract could mean an even more productive Watson. But if Watson slips, or gets injured, Wilkening writes that Moore and Cameron could easily step in.

More Cleveland Browns

CineSport's Noah Coslov & Sporting News' Clifton Brown discuss the Eagles, the Cardinals and the Browns in this video.

An outline and preview of the Cleveland Browns upcoming season (Yahoo.com).

Trent Richardson continues to shake off comments about his ability (SI.com).

Here's another preview of the Cleveland Browns (Dawgs By Nature).

Trent Richardson will open football camp (The News-Herald).

Trent Richardson tells Fox Radio how he wants to be the best ever (Fox Sports).

Appearing on WKRK FM/92.3 The Fan's Bull and Fox Show today, Mary Kay Cabot talked about if Brandon Weeden would come into camp late, how that would affect Colt McCoy's status with the team and more.

Mary Kay Cabot

With less than four weeks until the start of training camp, rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden remains unsigned. The holdup is a fully guaranteed contract for all four years, league sources told The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot.

Appearing on WKRK FM/92.3 The Fan's Bull and Fox Show today, Cabot talked about if Weeden would come into camp late, how that would affect Colt McCoy's status with the team and more.

Click on play to listen.

Each weekday, Plain Dealer reporters and writers will share their insights on sports topics on The Fan. You can also catch their views on SB TV on the Starting Blocks blog.

"I don’t care what he says about the fans...show up to the games and it’s a non issue. As long as he keeps saving games, he can talk all he wants. Knowing so called Indians fans, if he didn’t talk everyone would say he isn’t outspoken enough to be a closer." - skip2907

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerOne cleveland.com reader says Chris Perez can talk all he wants as long as he is saving games.

"I don’t care what he says about the fans...show up to the games and it’s a non issue. As long as he keeps saving games, he can talk all he wants. Knowing so called Indians fans, if he didn’t talk everyone would say he isn’t outspoken enough to be a closer. Know matter what, our great fan base here in Cleveland will bash players just to complain.......GO TRIBE CP."

The injury was the reason Craft, the star basketball point guard, was seen pulling up with a limp in some games last season. Buckeyes' football story links, too.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerAaron Craft, the Big Ten's defensive Player of the Year and known for his relentless work ethic, finally had surgery for a bone chip in his left ankle.

Since high school, the Ohio State point guard has had a bone chip floating in his left ankle, his father said.

“If he turned the ankle wrong just a certain way, that small piece of bone would get jammed back on his tibia and it would cause excruciating pain,” John Craft said.

It was the reason Aaron was seen pulling up with a limp in some games last season, then recovering quickly and playing on as if nothing had happened.

Craft has been in a cast and on crutches since the surgery but is scheduled to have the cast removed Tuesday, be fitted with a walking boot and begin rehabilitation, his father said. He should be “full go” in three to four weeks.

"All the nay-sayers, all the Chris Grant critics, all the Cavs draft critics....do yourselves a favor and watch this highlight video of Dion Waiters. Yes, tons of great offense, many with a hand in his face, but watch all the defensive plays, watch all the terrific assists. This guy is a beast and Chris Grant will be considered a genius by the end of next season." - thomdarden

View full sizeAP Photo/Gene J. PuskarOne cleveland.com reader thinks Chris Grant made the right choice with picking Dion Waiters at No. 4.

"All the nay-sayers, all the Chris Grant critics, all the Cavs draft critics....do yourselves a favor and watch this highlight video of Dion Waiters. Yes, tons of great offense, many with a hand in his face, but watch all the defensive plays, watch all the terrific assists. This guy is a beast and Chris Grant will be considered a genius by the end of next season. Oh, the Kyrie and Dion show is going to be huge!"

The Indians took three games while in Baltimore against the Orioles and now return home to take on the Los Angeles Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @Hoynsie.

The Indians took three games while in Baltimore against the Orioles and now return home to take on the Los Angeles Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes @Hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android to get Tribe updates on your mobile device. Read on for a game preview.

View full sizeAP Photo/Aaron Vincent ElkaimEric Aybar and the Los Angeles Angels come to town tonight to face the Cleveland Indians, who took three-of-four against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis still trying to resolve the fact that he didn't make the American League All-Star team.

Mark Duncan, Associated PressJason Kipnis is putting the finishing touches on a strong first half, but he won't be going to Kansas City for the All-Star game next week.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Not making the American League All-Star team is still sticking in Jason Kipnis' craw.

When the teams were announced Sunday, and he didn't make it, Kipnis refused to talk to reporters. On Monday it was more of the same as the Indians started the last seven-game homestand before the All-Star break with a three-game series against the Angels.

"It's not something I'm going to talk about," said Kipnis.

Robinson Cano and Ian Kinsler were the second basemen who made the AL All-Star team. Robinson was voted into the starting rotation by the fans and Kinsler was selected by the player vote.

In a Tweet on Sunday, Kipnis said, "A lot of things I want to say... But just gonna limit it to wishing CP and Cabby the best! Have been studs the whole year! #welldeserved."

Closer Chris Perez and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera will represent the Indians at the All-Star game. They were selected by AL players.

Kipnis enters Monday's game hitting .275 (85-for-309) with seven doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 47 RBI. He's stolen 20 bases in 21 attempts and scored 47 runs. He leads the team in RBI and is tied for the team lead in homers with Cabrera.

"I wasn't completely surprised that Jason didn't make it," said manager Manny Acta. "As we mentioned before, you can only have so many guys. And the American League has so many outstanding second basemen.

"But you usually go by the numbers and he has the numbers to make the All-Star game. . .He's not the only one. It's easy for us to be biased because we see him everyday basis, but if you look around the league there have to be some guys who feel they were snubbed.

"We let him know he's an All-Star our hearts. He's going have an opportunity again. He's going to be good for years to come."

In the National League, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips didn't make the club after two straight All-Star selections. Phillips is hitting .285 (78-for-274) with 11 doubles, 10 homers and 46 RBI. He's scored 42 runs and stolen four bases. 

Tonight's lineups:

Angels (44-35): SS Erick Aybar (S), RF Torii Hunter (R), 1B Albert Pujols (R), DH Kendry Morales, LF Mike Trumbo (R), 3B Alberto Callaspo (S), 2B Howie Kendrick (R), CF Peter Bourjos (R), Aybar (S), C Bobby Wilson (R), RHP Jered Weaver (8-1, 2.31).

Indians (40-38): RF Shin-Soo (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), CF Michael Brantley (L), C Carlos Santana (S), DH Johnny Damon (L), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R), 3B Jack Hannahan (L), RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 4.69).

Lineup news: Angels scratched Trout from lineup because of sore little finger. Bourgos replaces him in center. . .Tribe's Damon tested sore right hamstring have two days off and found it good enough to play on.

Umpires: H Jerry Layne, 1B Bob Davidson, 2B Jim Wolf, 3B Mike Muchlinski.
 
Indians vs. Weaver: Santana is hitting .571 (4-for-7) and Choo is hitting .440 (11-for-25) with three RBI.

Angels vs. Jimenez: Pujols is hitting .267 (4-for-15) with five RBI.

Next: Zach McAllister (2-1, 3.82) will face Dan Haren (6-7, 4.53) and the Angels Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

The free agent class is relatively weak, and the Cavaliers want to maintain their flexibility for the trade deadline in February and next summer. More Cavs' story links.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe Cavaliers want to maintain their salary cap flexibility for at least the next few months, while last June's first-round draft picks -- Kyrie Irving (left) and Tristan Thompson (right) -- develop aside other players such as this year's first-rounders, Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller.

They'll take a frugal approach to free agency this summer, even though they have several holes to fill.

The free-agent class is comparatively weak. There are few good, young stars on the market.

Secondly, the Cavs want to maintain their flexibility at the trade deadline in February and next summer. This time next year, a punitive or "super" luxury tax kicks in. The tax will be assessed at different levels based on the amount that a team is over the threshold. This year, it's a dollar-for-dollar tax. Starting next year, teams could pay $1.50 on the dollar, and up to $3.50.

Jered Weaver proved too much for the Indians as he threw seven scoreless innings to lead the Angels to a 3-0 victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The momentum the Indians created in the heat of Baltimore over the weekend, cooled on a pleasant Monday night in Cleveland.

Jered Weaver definitely had something to do with that. The All-Star right-hander improved to 5-0 at Progressive Field as he threw seven scoreless inning as the Angels shut out the Indians, 3-0.

It was just the second time the Indians have been shut out this season.

Weaver (9-1, 2.13) allowed five hits on three walks. He struck out two and threw 107 pitches, 67 for strikes. He has a 1.52 ERA in eight starts at Progressive Field.

Scott Downs completed the five-hitter with two scoreless innings to earn his seventh save.

Ubaldo Jimenez (7-7, 4.59) wasn't bad, but he wasn't as good as Weaver.

The Angels scored the only run they needed in the fifth and Jimenez made it possible by hitting Howie Kendrick to start the inning. Kendrick stole second, took third on Bobby Wilson's single to left and scored on a sacrifice fly Erick Aybar for a 1-0 lead.

Kendrick struck again in the seventh with a homer into the left field bleachers for a 2-0 lead. Kendrick hit a 3-2 pitch for his fifth homer. Alberto Callaspo started the inning with a single. Catcher Carlos Santana, back in the lineup after missing four games with a tight back, threw him out trying to steal second.

Jimenez, however, couldn't take advantage of the opening.

The Indians wasted their best scoring chance when they loaded the bases with no one out in the seventh. Jason Kipnis walked, Michael Brantley singled and Santana walked.

Johnny Damon sent a grounder to third and Callaspo threw home to force Kipnis. Damon is 6-for-45 with runners in scoring position. Casey Kotchman fouled out to the catcher and Weaver struck out Shelley Duncan.

The Angels made it 3-0 in the eighth when Jimenez walked Callaspo on four pitches to force home Aybar. Aybar started the inning with a single. Moving on the pitch, Aybar advanced to second on Torii Hunter's ground out to short.

Jimenez fell behind Albert Pujols 2-0 before intentionally walking him. He retired Kendrys Morales on a slow roller down the first baseline that advanced the runners. Manager Manny Acta elected to intentionally walked Mark Trumbo to load the bases. Trumbo came into the game with 20 homers and 55 RBI.

The strategy backfired when Jimenez walked Callaspo.

The Indian chased Weaver in the eighth on consecutive singles by Jack Hannahan and Shin-Soo Choo. Downs relieved and got Asdrubal Cabrera to hit into a double play and popped up Kipnis.

Weaver is 6-2 lifetime against the Tribe. He's made two starts against the Indians this year and hasn't allowed a run in 13 innings. His only loss this year came on May 13 against Texas.

Jimenez allowed three runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked four, two intentionally, and struck out four.

The Indians have lost seven of their last 11 games.

EUGENE, Ore. - A look at the fast, funny and future after nine days of competition at the U.S. Track and Field Trials, which ended Sunday: Top three performances National  Ashton Eaton: Set a world record in the decathlon (9,039 points) by winning seven of 10 events, including a 27-0 long jump in a downpour that would have put him...

ERIC GAY/APAshton Eaton appears overwrought after setting a world record in the decathlon at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

EUGENE, Ore. - A look at the fast, funny and future after nine days of competition at the U.S. Track and Field Trials, which ended Sunday:

Top three performances

National

 Ashton Eaton: Set a world record in the decathlon (9,039 points) by winning seven of 10 events, including a 27-0 long jump in a downpour that would have put him on the U.S. Olympic long-jump team. His other results: 100 meters (10.21), shot put (46-71/4), high jump (6-83/4), 400 (46.70), 110 hurdles (13.70), discus (140-5), pole vault (17-43/4), javelin (193-1) and 1,500 (4:14.40).

Galen Rupp: The first in 60 years to win the 5,000 (13:22.68) and 10,000 (27:25.33), and he broke trials records in both. In the 5,000, Rupp ran a thrilling, 52.54 last lap to kick past Bernard Lagat, and Rupp broke by .32 a record that had been held for 40 years by the late Steve Prefontaine.

Allyson Felix: In an event where the United States has the six fastest women in the world this year, Felix won the 200 going away in 21.69 for a .44 winning margin, a meet record, a world-leading time and the third-fastest time ever by an American.

Top three performances

Ohio

 Bridget Franek: The 3,000-meter steeplechase runner-up (9:35.62) from Hiram was flawless on the jumps, ran a smart pace and didn't overthink the race, which for her, is a major victory.

Chantae McMillan: Coming off a knee injury that ended a promising season last year, the heptathlete moved to Dayton to train with Lynn Smith, reworked her jumps and it paid off with a third-place finish (6,188 points), the Olympic "A" standard and a ticket to London.

Tianna Madison: She proved her world indoor bronze medal in the 60 this year was not a fluke and placed second in the 100, ahead of Felix, in a personal-best 10.96.

The Ohio Olympians Heading to London from Ohio are: Franek, Hiram, women's 3,000 steeplechase, second at trials; Kibwe Johnson, Ashland University grad, men's hammer throw, first; A.G. Kruger, Ashland, men's hammer throw, third; Erik Kynard, Toledo, men's high jump, second; Madison, Elyria, women's 100, second; McMillan, Dayton, heptathlon, third.

Best finish Quickly forgotten between now and the Olympics is the place where everyone finished in Eugene. What matters is leaving Hayward Field wearing red -- the color of the shiny new sweatsuit each London-bound athlete dons for the trials awards ceremony.

So, it wasn't a winner that stands out. It was third-place finisher Kim Conley beating a shocked Julia Lucas by .04 for the final Olympic berth in the women's 5,000 meters (15:19.79 to 15:19.83). Lucas had made a dramatic move to take a 20-meter lead with three laps remaining. The pack reeled her back in, but she still seemed to have third place secured until she began laboring down the stretch and appeared to let up the last few steps. Conley closed hard, and the crowd roared as she leaned past a stunned Lucas, who later called it an "awful and indignant" ending.

The late finish also put Conley just under the Olympic "A" qualifying standard of 15:20.

Biggest mystery What happened to Jessica Beard? The Euclid native is not getting better and I refuse to believe she has peaked early. She's just 23, nine years younger than world-leader Sanya Richards-Ross. Finishing eighth in the 400 final in 51.52, nearly a second off her career best, she looks like an athlete who either needs a change of scenery or a new approach.

Best moment Galen Rupp screaming "Yeah!" and punching the air after out-kicking the great kicker, Bernard Legat, in the 5,000.

Worst moment How could the Unites States Track and Field Association not have a tiebreaker protocol for third place when it sends three athletes in an event to London?

Track's governing body and the United States Olympic Committee had to shake off the embarrassment and scramble to write and enact such a protocol when Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix finished in a dead heat for third place in the women's 100-meter dash. The USATF acted as if such a possibility never existed. It should have known better.

Best quote After winning the 800, Nick Symmonds referred to his "incredible dates" earlier this year with Paris Hilton. Runner-up Khadevis Robinson, 35 and the father of two, didn't let that one go by.

"Incredible dates?" Robinson said to Symmonds. "I mean, what is all this about? Me and Duane [Solomon, who was third] are like, 'What the heck is this guy talking about?' Incredible dates!

"What kind of program are you on? We don't have none of that. We're just out there at the track with our coach. No wonder you're kicking our butt. Incredible dates."

Best comeback Justin Gatlin won the 100 in a personal-best 9.80. He was the 2004 Olympic champ, but missed 2008 because of a drug suspension. He also had a frost-bite injury in 2010.

Best weather It rained almost every one of the nine competition days in Eugene. But during the two-day break on June 26 and 27, the weather was absolutely delightful. Oregon track coach Vin Lananna, reflecting on the two winters he spent as Oberlin College's athletic director, corrected me after I complained about the rain and said, "There's no way someone from the Midwest could ever complain about the weather here."

Most inspirational I just can't get over the impact distance-running legend Steve Prefontaine has on young athletes 37 years after his death in an auto accident, at age 24. I made the mile hike up to Pre's Rock, the memorial where the accident took place on appropriately named Skyline Drive. Runners often leave medals or ribbons they have earned, hand-written notes or their running shoes.

On the day I visited, I met Nick Usoff, a high school junior from Acton, Mass. He hung on the corner of the memorial marker his silver medal shaped like the state of Massachusetts. It was the 4x800 relay state runner-up medal he won last year.

"I hear stories about him, and to be able to see where he died, it makes it all real," he said.

Best image Just past the finish line after the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, five competitors collapsed on the track, scattered about like debris from a storm, one on his back, another face down. They had nothing left, because they had given their all. That's why they compete, and that's why we watch.

Three to watch in London Ashton Eaton: In an era of specialization, can the decathlon still be appreciated? The world-record holder is just 24 and still learning how to throw.

Sanya Richards-Ross: No one in the world can touch what she has done in the 400 this year, and she could win a medal in the 200, plus gold in the 4x400.

Allyson Felix: She tried the 200-400 double in 2008, and the 100-200 this year. The 200 is her sweet spot and, at 31, she's running better than ever.

Keystone senior pitcher/ infielder Kenzie Conrad is The Plain Dealer's Softball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, but with a better ending. This time, Conrad led the Wildcats to an unbeaten season and their third Division II state title, their first since 2006. "We've never won anything this big in our lives," said Conrad, referring to...

DAVID DERMER/IMPACTACTIONPHOTOSKeystone pitcher Kenzie Conrad pitches to a player from Greenville high school player in the state championship game. Keystone won 7-2.

Keystone senior pitcher/ infielder Kenzie Conrad is The Plain Dealer's Softball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, but with a better ending.

This time, Conrad led the Wildcats to an unbeaten season and their third Division II state title, their first since 2006.

"We've never won anything this big in our lives," said Conrad, referring to herself and the other seven seniors. "We've come in second for every big championship we've ever played in, and it's so amazing to finally win, to finally get the gold."

The title was slipping out of Keystone's grasp late in the state championship game as Greenville held a 2-0 lead with one out in the sixth inning.

Conrad's single to left field started a five-hit, five-run inning for the Wildcats, who tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning en route to a 7-2 win.

"Our slogan all year was 'Refuse to lose,' " said Conrad, also Ohio's Gatorade Player of the Year. "We believed in each other 100 percent, all the time, and just to know everyone had our backs was so great.

"The freshmen, sophomores and juniors knew it was our last shot to get everything we ever wanted and they all stepped up."

Conrad posted a 25-0 record with a 0.74 ERA and batted .485 with a school single-season-record 11 home runs.

Conrad's thoughts late in the game kept reverting back to the song "(Kissed You) Good Night" by Gloriana.

"There's a part that says, 'Half scared to death, can't catch your breath, aren't these the moments we live for,' " Conrad said. "I kept picturing us on our home field with all our supporters -- everybody's there -- and closing my eyes and picturing that final out.

"It was just amazing, it was indescribable."

Those final two innings presented a personal, emotional time for Conrad.

"Those last six outs, I knew we were going to get it," she said. "We were all counting them down -- 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 -- and I had to just take a step back and enjoy the moment.

"I had to take everything in because I knew I'll never be here again. I knew I'll never be in a Keystone uniform ever again."

ALL-STAR TEAM

OTHER ALL-STARS

Amy Donze

AMY DONZE

Woodridge

Senior pitcher

College: Malone.

Notable: Compiled a 25-2 record and led team to a Portage Trail Conference County Division title and Division II district title. Her losses came to state champ Keystone and final four qualifier Poland Seminary. Had a 1.00 ERA and 352 strikeouts in 1801/3 innings. Batted .584 with 42 runs scored, 33 RBI, 17 doubles, five homers and played errorless defense.

Savannah Karako

SAVANNAH KARAKO

Lake Catholic

Sophomore outfielder

College: Undecided.

Notable: Led a good hitting team, which won the challenging North Coast League Blue Division championship. Her 38 hits resulted in a .447 batting average, along with three home runs, 26 RBI and a .729 slugging percentage. She got on base almost 50 percent of the time. Committed one error with 16 putouts and two assists.

Alexis Mack

ALEXIS MACK

Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Freshman infielder

College: Undecided.

Notable: Outstanding rookie leadoff hitter put up veteran-like numbers. Had team-bests with a .509 batting average and .554 on- base average. Posted Bees single-season records with 55 hits, 54 runs scored, 13 doubles and 57 stolen bases. Also drove in 21 runs and sported a .942 fielding average for 103 opportunities.

Kaitlin Morse

KAITLIN MORSE

Our Lady of the Elms

Senior catcher

College: Northern Kentucky.

Notable: Was the prime reason her team made school history by winning a Division IV district championship and reaching its first regional tournament title game. Batted .577 with 33 runs scored, 45 hits, 63 RBI, 11 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Her .987 fielding average included throwing out 23 of 38 baserunners.

Erin Pond

ERIN POND

Keystone

Senior infielder

College: Akron.

Notable: Three- time All-Star batted .510 with a .971 slugging percentage, thanks to a team-high five triples and 45 runs scored, along with 11 doubles and nine homers. Had 47 RBI and 13 stolen bases while batting leadoff. Committed four errors in 86 chances.

Jamie Screen

JAMIE SCREEN

Westlake

Senior infielder/outfielder

College: Hillsdale.

Notable: Was a tough out from the leadoff spot as her .570 on- base average attests. Collected a school single- season-record 56 hits while also leading the team with a .533 batting average, 105 at-bats and 31 runs scored. Was 22 of 24 in stolen bases. Also posted a .962 fielding average.

Madison Tata

MADISON TATA

Medina

Sophomore infielder

College: Undecided.

Notable: Her team- high .473 batting average included a team- best 43 hits, eight triples and seven strikeouts in 91 at-bats, along with 25 RBI, 29 runs scored, four doubles, seven stolen bases and a .484 on-base average. Committed four errors in 126 chances in helping her team reach its first Division I final four appearance.

Alanna Williams

ALANNA WILLIAMS

Elyria

Senior outfielder

College: Wright State.

Notable: Four- year varsity standout and leadoff hitter bats from the right side but can slap/ drag- bunt from the left. Hit .466 with team- best 41 hits and 36 runs scored, along with five triples, 19 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a .524 on-base average. Speedster did not commit an error, snagged 18 fly-ball outs and threw out two runners at home.

Melanie Woodard

MELANIE WOODARD

Elyria

Junior infielder

College: Undecided.

Notable: Was a big reason her team reached the Division I state tournament and won the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division crown. Batted .465, scored 34 runs, had 16 doubles, 19 RBI, stole five bases and had an on-base average of .490. Sure-handed and owns a strong, accurate arm that accounted for 36 putouts, 42 assists and only four errors.

-- Bob Fortuna

Cut out your Urban Meyer caricature, take a picture with it in your hometown or on your summer travels and send it in. We're looking for the best photos to put in The Plain Dealer's OSU Football Preview Section coming this fall.

Everyone knows Ohio State football is big. But what happens now that the Buckeyes have added one of the biggest names in coaching?

To get a feel for the scope and scale of Ohio State football, The Plain Dealer is looking for Buckeye fans who can share a moment of their lives with Urban Meyer.

If you are a Buckeye fan from Florida to France, from Idaho to Ireland, from Tennessee to Turkey, print out this cutout of the new Ohio State football coach, glue Urban to a stick and snap a photo with you and the coach in your neck of the woods — or even take him on vacation.

We know plenty of Ohioans love the Buckeyes, and we're not excluding you. Grab Urban and snap away, too.

But we're particularly interested in catching OSU fans with Meyer at Venice Beach, the Grand Canyon, the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower or Great Wall of China.

We'll take the best of the photos and use them for our season preview section in The Plain Dealer and on Cleveland.com.

Here's how to get started:

• Click here for your Urban Meyer cutout, print and glue it on a stick.

Three ways to submit your photos:

1. Upload it directly to cleveland.com here (Be sure to select the 'World Wide Open' photo gallery)

2. Use the 'submit photo' option in the cleveland.com iPhone, iPad or Android app

3. Email the photo to sports@cleveland.com

Deadline for submissions is August 15.

Note: When you submit a photograph, you or the copyright owner (if a different person) retain copyright ownership of the photograph, but you agree that all physical photographs and digital scans of photographs become the property of cleveland.com and will not be returned. You should retain the original of whatever you submit to us. You agree that all photographs may be cropped, modified, and published without credit in any medium.

If your photo is selected to be published in The Plain Dealer, we may use your email address to contact you in order to obtain more information about the photo and possibly a high resolution copy.

Submission of a photograph constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement. Please read our Privacy Policy as well.

"This should be his last year. He has suffered way too many head injuries. Think he's a good tight end, but it be better for the team to work in starting either Evan Moore or Cameron. I also think Alex Smith is a good tight-end for red-zone situations." - ap1987

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerCan Ben Watson overcome his head injuries and be a consistent contributor?

"This should be his last year. He has suffered way too many head injuries. Think he's a good tight end, but it be better for the team to work in starting either Evan Moore or Cameron. I also think Alex Smith is a good tight-end for red-zone situations."

Veteran outfielder's struggles at the plate - especially with men on base - has put the Tribe in a bind, Plain Dealer reporter contends. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright and Tim Rogers, who is standing in for Chuck Yarborough.

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is coming up next week, and two Indians, reliever Chris Perez and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, made the American League team. Should another Indian have made the AL squad? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who talks about last night's Indians loss to the Angels. Dman also the future of Johnny Damon with the Tribe; and whether pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez has hit his stride.

SBTV will return Thursday. Happy Fourth of July!

Former Cleveland Browns player was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerFormer Cleveland Browns' veteran cornerback Eric Wright.

Eric Wright was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence near Staples Center downtown early Monday after being involved in an injury accident, according to this L.A. Times story.

Wright, who has played for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was not hurt. He reportedly told officers he had been drinking earlier at a friend's home in the Hollywood area and refused to submit to a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test.

Officers booked Wright on a felony because the accident involved injury. He was booked into the LAPDs downtown Metropolitan Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Monday's incident is not Wright's first involving a car.

Plain Dealer Indians reporter Paul Hoynes joined Baskin and Phelps on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) this afternoon to talk about the Tribe.

Paul Hoynes

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are Fox Sports, Wahoo's on First and Stepien Rules.

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

AP Photo/Tony DejakTrent Richardson wants to be "the guy" in Cleveland.

"Trent Richardson hopes to earn those same accolades for himself someday.

“I want to be the best thing that ever happened to Cleveland,” the Browns rookie running back told me and SiriusXM NFL Radio co-host Jim Miller last week at the NFL’s Rookie Symposium in Aurora, Ohio.

“I want to be that type of all-time guy when it comes down to it.”

Richardson has plenty of work ahead to leave the game as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher as Brown did in 1965. But when it comes to diffusing an off-field controversy, Richardson is already an All-Pro.

Brown let it be known he wasn’t thrilled when the Browns made Richardson the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft. Brown told ESPN 850 radio in Cleveland that the University of Alabama standout was an “ordinary” back and has subsequently stood by those comments."

"So what gives? What’s changed from the beginning of the year until now? The biggest reason for the Tribe’s underwhelming offensive output is Carlos Santana.

This was supposed to be the breakout year for Santana, who was coming off of a very impressive rookie debut in 2010 and an eye-popping 2011. Entering this season, Santana was widely regarded as the best-hitting catcher in baseball and the premier hitter in the Indians lineup, and was already being pencilled for the first of what was to be several All-Star games."

AP Photo/John CrossWould Jonny Flynn be a good backup point guard?

"After being traded from Houston last season, Flynn finished the year out with the Blazers. I attended a couple of his workouts in the Cleveland area last month. The latest report linking Flynn with the Cavaliers reads like this from CSNNW.com: The unrestricted free agent point guard, Jonny Flynn, has received interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks, a source tells CSNNW.com. Currently the mutual interest is in its beginning stages and no visits have been arranged for the former Syracuse Orangemen standout as of yet. The free-agency period began today and Flynn must wait for the high-profile point guards to find landing spots before more teams begin calling regarding his services. Flynn is only 23 years old and has career averages of 9.2 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds per game. Those aren't good numbers for a guy drafted in the top-5, but as a back-up PG? I'd be interested in Flynn for that role in Cleveland."

"The more I think about it, the more OK I am with the pick. If Beal was there and we took Waiters it would be a different story. However, this is a high risk, high reward pick. So, if it works out, and Waiters turns into a dynamic NBA player, great. If he busts....well, I would actually rather he full out bust than be a mediocre/average NBA player...because then the Cavs will be picking high enough again that they can go after a star." - TribeGuru

View full sizeAP Photo/Elise AmendolaDion Waiters is a high-risk, high-reward pick, says one cleveland.com reader.

"The more I think about it, the more OK I am with the pick. If Beal was there and we took Waiters it would be a different story. However, this is a high risk, high reward pick. So, if it works out, and Waiters turns into a dynamic NBA player, great. If he busts....well, I would actually rather he full out bust than be a mediocre/average NBA player...because then the Cavs will be picking high enough again that they can go after a star. I don't want an average NBA team that has a chance at the first round of the playoffs. I want a team that gets a few stars through the draft because they are going to have a hard time getting them through FA. Apparently the Cavs thought his ceiling was the highest, so go for it."