March 26, 2014 - Atlantic League (AtL) Bridgeport Bluefish (Bridgeport, Conn. - March 26, 2014) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of pitchers Hunter Jones and Jaye Chapman. Jones returns for his second tour in the Park City, while Chapman makes his Atlantic League debut.

"Both of these players are great additions to our pitching staff for the 2014 season," says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. "Hunter was an important part of our rotation last year and will anchor it once again, while Jaye adds depth to our bullpen."

Jones returns to the Bluefish for his second year in Bridgeport, third in the Atlantic League and ninth of professional baseball. For the first time in his career, Hunter started every game that he appeared for Bridgeport in 2013. He collected an 8-13 record in 26 starts with a 4.19 ERA and two complete game shutouts while striking out 105 in a career high 156.2 innings pitched. After a spring stint with the Boston Red Sox in 2012, the former Major Leaguer was picked up by Southern Maryland marking his first year in the Atlantic League. With Southern Maryland, he started 15 games, compiling a 4.66 ERA with a 3-5 record. The southpaw walked only 31 batters in 87.0 innings pitched, while striking out 68. During his minor league career, Jones owns a 33-37 record with a 3.66 ERA and 532 strikeouts over the course of 627 innings of work.

The 30-year-old lefthander was originally signed by Boston as a non drafted free agent in 2005. His best season came with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2008, where he posted a 7-2 record with a 2.45 ERA in 35 appearances. In 2009 he was called up to the Majors, where he saw action in 11 games from the bullpen and finished one game for the Red Sox. The following season, Hunter was traded to the Florida Marlins where he spent the majority of the year with Triple-A New Orleans (4.17 ERA in 45.1 IP). He did see three games with the Marlins in 2010, pitching in 1.2 innings, allowing no hits. During his Major League career, Jones has appeared in 14 games over the course of 14.1 innings of work striking out 12.

Chapman enters his ninth season in professional baseball and his first in the Atlantic League. Last year, the Florida native pitched in four games out of the bullpen with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Jaye ended 2012 with the Chicago Cubs and in his only Major League stint; he appeared in 14 games (all in relief) and had a 3.75 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12 innings.

The 26-year-old was traded in 2012 from the Atlanta Braves organization along with Arodys Vizcaino to the Chicago Cubs for Major League veterans Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm. Before he was promoted to the big leagues in September, 2012, Chapman appeared in 50 games for three minor league teams including the Double-A and Triple-A affiliates of the Cubs, registering a 4.02 ERA combined with seven saves and 72 strikeouts in 65 innings. He began his professional career in 2006 with the rookie league Danville Braves of the Appalachian League after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 16th round of the MLB Amateur Draft. In 256 minor league games (eight starts), the right-hander has a 17-24 record with a 4.21 ERA, 28 saves and 411 strikeouts in 388.2 innings.

The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.

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Two Former Big League Pitchers Join Bluefish

MUSCATINE, Iowa How to get there from here was one of the main questions at the second of two public hearings Wednesday evening regarding the upcoming $3.5 million Cedar Street Reconstruction Project.

More than 70 residents came to the meeting at Muscatine High School to hear from project manager Bill Haag, of Koala Consulting Services, and city staff about some of the ins and outs of the project that is not likely to be completed until later this year.

But when all is said and done, "We're going to change the look of Cedar Street," Haag said.

Haag and City Engineer Jon Lutz reviewed the project with residents. The first part of the project will begin Monday, March 31, when workers close off the intersection of Cedar and Parham Street, and Cedar Street just east of Parham Street to the Stonebrook intersection will be closed (for more information, see the "Cedar Street road closings" elsewhere with this story).

This section of the project, as with the other sections of the affected roadway, will include the removal of culverts from the area, the additions of curb and gutter, road and sewer reconstruction, the addition of turning lanes by different intersections, a reduction in the steepness of the roadway's grade as it travels east and the construction of a bike path along the northern side of the street from Houser to Parham streets. There will also be limited sidewalks on the south side of the roadway. This first phase of the project might be over by June of this year, Haag said.

Similar reconstruction will take place in stages as the project progresses. In response to multiple questions from the audience, Haag said that residents would continue to have two-lane access to their properties during construction due to the staggered phases of the plan, planned detours, and temporary access roads.

Two intersections will see significant changes due to the reconstruction, Haag and Lutz said. The intersection of Cedar and the Muscatine High School access road will become a lighted intersection. However, construction on that area will not take place until the summer of this year, after the conclusion of the current school year.

In addition, planners will construct a roundabout at the juncture of Cedar and Logan streets. City officials said the idea behind the roundabout is to reduce traffic congestion and promote pedestrian use of the area, which is nearby the Muscatine Community Y and Logan Apartments.

"Traffic congestion should be much reduced," Lutz said.

However, some residents in attendance who live in the Imperial Oaks subdivision neighboring Cedar, also known as Oak Manor, questioned whether the unfamiliar roundabout format would cause more confusion and safety issues for motorists.

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Coming soon: Work on Cedar

March 19, 2014 - Northwoods League (Northwoods) Eau Claire Express Eau Claire, Wis. - The Express front office today announced that six players from the 2013 roster will return to Eau Claire for a second summer. Returners include pitchers Taylor Duree and Peter Hendron, infielders Mike Porcaro and Dalton Bowers, and outfielders Alex Call and Daniel Kihle. With the latest additions, the Express roster stands at 17 with just over two months until the season opener.

Duree is entering his sophomore season at the University of New Mexico. The right-hander appeared in 11 games in 2013 for the Express, starting nine, compiling a 2-3 record and 3.52 earned run average in 53.2 innings pitched. The Albuquerque, N.M. native has appeared in eight of the Lobos 20 games out of the bullpen this spring. He has no record and a 5.11 ERA in 12.1 innings pitched. As a freshman at New Mexico, Duree made 16 appearances and two starts. He had no record and a 4.15 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched.

Hendron is a right-handed pitcher for Santa Clara University. The sophomore started four of the nine games he appeared in last summer for the Express, finishing with a 1-3 record and 4.55 ERA. His best outing of the season came in his last appearance, a win in Thunder Bay that saw him pitch six shutout innings with three hits allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts. He has been the best starter for the Broncos this spring, registering a 2-1 record and 3.00 ERA in five starts thus far. He appeared in ten games in 2013 as a freshman, including two starts.

Porcaro enters his junior year at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as an infielder. He saw action in 44 games for the Express in 2013. The Burlington, Wis. native finished with a .242 batting average, five doubles and 25 runs batted in. Porcaro has started all 11 games for the Panthers this spring and ranks second on the team with a .324 batting average and is tied for the team lead with four doubles. He has already walked ten times, which has helped him to an impressive .458 on-base percentage. Over his first two seasons in Milwaukee, Porcaro batted .344 with 17 doubles and five triples.

Bowers is a sophomore for the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds. He joined the Express mid-season in 2013 and appeared in 26 games. Bowers batted .257 in 101 at-bats, scored 18 runs and drove in 14. The Albuquerque, N.M. native appeared in 34 games as a freshman for the Thunderbirds, starting 32. He had a .333 batting average and an impressive .460 on-base percentage.

Call saw limited late-season action for the Express last summer, appearing in eight games down the stretch. In 23 at-bats he had eight hits, one home run and three RBI's. When Call was originally signed in 2013 he was considered a high school player. Due to Northwoods League rules, his contract covered both the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The River Falls (Wis.) High School grad has gotten off to a good start in his freshman season at Ball State University, leading the team with a .365 batting average in 17 games started. He ranks second on the squad in both RBI's and doubles, with 11 and five.

Kihle returns to the Express after seeing action in 48 games in last summer. His 2013 campaign consisted of 182 at-bats, a .242 batting average, seven doubles, and 23 RBI's. His 13 stolen bases ranked second to Charlie White's 25 for the Express. The Wichita State sophomore outfielder was off to a hot start this spring until recently suffering a broken hand. He ranks second on the team with a .370 batting average and is tied for second on the team with two home runs. He showed great improvement from his freshman season with the Shockers, which saw him collect nine hits in 47 at-bats over 35 games and 11 starts.

The Express begin their 10th season of play in the Northwoods League on Tuesday, May 27 versus the Lakeshore Chinooks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM with gates opening at 5:30. Season tickets and voucher packs are on sale now. Single-game tickets will go on sale May 1. The full promotional schedule for 2014 will be announced on April 1.

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Express announce six returners to roster

As Glee celebrates 100 episodes, the endgame is rapidly approaching.

The Fox musical heads home from L.A. for this week's 100th episode after New Directions' second-place finish at Nationals to pay tribute to the glee club that helped its members -- past and present -- find themselves.

With Sue (Jane Lynch) poised to end New Directions once and for all, current and former members of Mr. Schue's (Matthew Morrison) glee club will return to the choir room to say farewell. Morrison told The Hollywood Reporter during a visit to the show's Hollywood set for the 100th episode celebration that the hour is bittersweet.

PHOTOS: 'Glee's' Unforgettable Guest Stars

"[New Directions] came in second place at Nationals, and the deal was we had to come in first. It's the end of the glee club, which is an end of an era. I still remember the first scene we ever shot for Glee for the pilot. It was me and Cory Monteith and it was a scene where I accused him of having weed in his locker. Doing 'Don't Stop Believin' ' here today and he's not here, that's a full-circle moment. That saying is so true: The show must go on -- and we've really banded together. It's been tough but it's been real."

THR hit the Glee set and quizzed the cast to find out the one thing they'd like to see for their onscreen counterparts before the Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk dramedy heads for New York and bids farewell after next year's sixth and final season.

Lynch: The actress, who also hosts NBC's Hollywood Game Night, wants the snarky McKinley High principal to get serious. "I'd love to have her do something serious in the way the kids do, where she sings a song because she can find no other way to express herself than in song. Sue hasn't had one of those."

Morrison: The original castmember says Glee has already featured the one thing at the top of his bucket list. " 'Make 'Em Laugh' was my bucket list. Getting to do some classic songs like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly did was a dream come true. If I could have written a show for myself, this would have been it. I've gotten to use all the stuff I've been training my whole life to do. It's been amazing."

STORY: 'Glee's' Brad Falchuk on 100 Episodes, New York Shift and the Show's New Ending

Lea Michele (Rachel): The actress, in a nod to the show's demanding production schedule, laughed at the thought of having an easier go of filming. "I'd like to do a whole episode in bed, where Rachel is sick and has to lay in bed in comfy clothes for an entire episode."

Excerpt from:
'Glee' Stars Celebrate 100 Episodes, Share Their Bucket List

Resurrection saw another strong Sunday on ABC. The new drama, shedding eight-tenths of a point from last week's big launch, still averaged a dominant 3.0 rating among adults 18-49 at 9 p.m.

That score followed relatively even outings of America's Funniest Home Videos (1.4 adults) and Once Upon a Time (2.3 adults) -- both down a tenth of a point from last week -- and led into Revenge (1.7 adults), down two-tenths. ABC averaged a 2.1 rating among adults 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers.

STORY: CBS Renews 18 More Shows for 2014-15 Season

Fox's second outing of Cosmos (1.9 adults) was off two-tenths of a point from last week. The simulcast will get a boost in gross numbers when the other nine networks airing it are factored in. Bob's Burgers (1.1 adults) improved a tenth of a point, while American Dad (1.3 adults) returned down two-tenths and The Simpsons (1.9 adults) were lifted by three-tenths. Fox took a 1.7 rating with adults 18-49 and 3.94 million viewers.

CBS had a new 60 Minutes (1.7 adults), up two tenths, and a mostly steady The Amazing Race (1.8 adults), down a tenth. The Good Wife (1.3 adults) matched last week's score, and bubble show The Mentalist -- the only veteran CBS series not to get an early renewal last week -- dropped three-tenths to a 1.3 in the demo. CBS took a 1.5 adults rating and 9.1 million viewers for the night.

Over on NBC, which saw early NBC basketball preemptions in Portland, Believe (1.4 adults) dropped from last week's Voice-boosted sampling (2.7 adults) for a soft time-slot launch. Crisis (1.6 adults) did manage to improve on its lead-in at 10 p.m., though its premiere was soft as well. NBC averaged a 1.5 rating with adults under 50 and 5.9 million viewers.

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TV Ratings: 'Resurrection' Wins Second Sunday, 'Believe' and 'Crisis' Soft on NBC

Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners baseball team poses at spring training in Peoria, Ariz.

TONY GUTIERREZ, FILE AP Photo

PEORIA, ARIZ. Second baseman Robinson Cano is absent again from the Seattle Mariners on another short, personal hiatus. This time, hes back in the Dominican Republic to attend to a family matter.

Club officials knew about the issue in advance, and manager Lloyd McClendon said Cano is expected to return in time for Tuesday nights game against San Diego.

The trip coincides with the Mariners first camp open date on Monday, and minimizes his absence. But it also begs a question: Will Cano find time for another round of broomstick-and-beans before he returns?

That story quickly made the rounds early last week after he explained how he honed his batting eye during a four-day recovery from an infection in his mouth that prompted root-canal surgery.

Yep, hitting black beans with a broomstick.

I have to keep my eyes on the beans because theyre so little, he explained. You have to follow them all the way. Thats what you want in the game. You want to follow the pitch all the way.

That makes a great image, doesnt it? And the story got big play. Then again, everything about Cano seems to get big play since he spurned the Yankees by signing a 10-year deal with the Mariners for $240 million.

I love this game, he explained, and I didnt want to sit at home and not do anything. Thats what I did the last two days (of his absence).

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Even Canos beans make headlines

PEORIA, Ariz. PEORIA, Ariz. Second baseman Robinson Cano is absent again from the Seattle Mariners on another short personal hiatus. This time, hes back in the Dominican Republic to attend to a family matter.

Club officials knew about the issue in advance, and manager Lloyd McClendon said Cano is expected to return in time for Tuesday nights game against San Diego.

The trip coincides with the Mariners first camp open date, Monday, and minimizes his absence. But it also begs a question: Will Cano find time for another round of broomstick-and-beans before he returns?

That story quickly made the rounds early last week after he explained how he honed his batting eye during a four-day recovery from an infection in his mouth that prompted root-canal surgery.

Yep, hitting black beans with a broomstick.

I have to keep my eyes on the beans because theyre so little, he explained. You have to follow them all the way. Thats what you want in the game. You want to follow the pitch all the way.

That makes a great image, doesnt it? And the story got big play. Then again, everything about Cano seems to get big play since he spurned the Yankees by signing a 10-year deal with the Mariners for $240 million.

I love this game, he explained, and I didnt want to sit at home and not do anything. Thats what I did the last two days (of his absence).

Cano then rocked three straight singles last Monday in his return to the lineup. The first two came against Royals ace James Shields. The other was against former All-Star reliever Aaron Crow.

Beans and a broomstick.

Excerpt from:
Mariners: Spotlight follows Cano's every step

March 14, 2014 - Atlantic League (AtL) Bridgeport Bluefish (Bridgeport, Conn. - March 14, 2014 ) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of pitchers Kanekoa Texeira, Jesse English, and Keith Bilodeau. Texeira and Bilodeau both return for their second tour in the Park City, while English enters his third year in Bridgeport.

"Kanekoa, Jesse, and Keith are all welcome additions to our club," says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. "They were important members of our pitching staff last season and we look forward to their contributions once again."

Texeira returns to Bridgeport for his second year in the Atlantic League and ninth of professional baseball. Last year, he started the season with the Bluefish, appearing in 28 games out of the bullpen with a 3-2 record and a 3.18 ERA. Kanekoa was then signed by the Cincinnati Reds and finished the 2013 campaign with Triple-A Louisville, where he appeared in 16 games (two starts) with a 2.42 ERA. He finished the season a combined 3-2 with a 2.85 ERA and only 18 walks in 60 innings. In 2012, he played the entire year at Triple-A Louisville, as the former Major Leaguer appeared in 34 games, posting a 2.72 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 56.1 innings of work. The 28-year-old has spent his professional career with the White Sox, Yankees, Mariners, Royals and Reds affiliates, reaching the Majors in 2010 with Seattle and Kansas City, respectively and then again with the Royals the following season. In the big leagues, the right hander owns a 4.66 ERA in 49 games. His best professional season came with Single-A Winston-Salem in 2008, where he went 3-1 with a 0.93 ERA finishing 33 of the 36 games he came into and saving 20 of those. In 259 career minor league games, Texeira owns a 24-21 record with a 3.07 ERA and 46 saves.

English, an 11-year professional, started the 2013 campaign in Mexico with Reynosa of the Mexican League. The lefty appeared in 25 games from the bullpen going 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA. Jesse then came to the Park City and pitched in 23 games from the pen going 0-2 with a 2.66 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched. He went a combined 3-3 in 48 games with a 2.97 ERA in 2013. He spent the 2012 season with the Bluefish, appearing in 42 games in relief. He went 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA over the course of 54.1 innings of work. The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round of the 2002 amateur draft. He spent seven seasons in the Giants organization before being claimed off of waivers by the Washington Nationals in 2010. After a strong showing with Triple-A Syracuse, the California-native got the call and made his Major League debut with the Nationals later that year. He made seven appearances and recorded a 3.86 ERA in seven innings of work with the big club. In 240 career minor league appearances, English owns a 40-23 record with a 3.77 ERA and 580 strikeouts in 542 innings of work.

Bilodeau will return to the Park City for his second season in the Atlantic League and fourth of professional baseball. Last year, in his first year with the Bluefish, he made his first career professional start (12 total) and pitched his first career complete game. Keith appeared in 16 games going 1-4 with a 4.42 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. In 2012 he was a member of the San Francisco Giants Organization. Over the course of 41 appearances in Single-A between Low-A Salem-Keizer and Augusta, the right-hander posted a 2-2 record with a 5.45 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 63.1 innings pitched. The 24-year-old was a 24th round draft pick of the Giants out of the University of Maine in 2011. In 65 career minor league games (12 starts), Bilodeau owns a 4-6 record with a 4.48 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 154.2 innings of work.

The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.

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Trio of Hurlers Added to 'Fish Tank

March 13, 2014 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) Erie Explosion (Erie, PA)- Erie Explosion Head Coach Shawn Liotta has announced several roster additions over the past week as the team looks ahead to the second half of the CIFL regular season. The 2013 CIFL Champions have announced the return of veteran linebacker Jon D'Angelo. One of the top linebackers in indoor football, D'Angelo was an All-Conference selection for Erie during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. D'Angelo came to Erie following a season in which he led the UIFL in tackles with 107 as a member of the Northern Kentucky RiverMonsters. For his efforts, D'Angelo was named First Team All-UIFL. His impact was noticeable in his first outing of the year with the Explosion as he totaled 12 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions against the Marion Blue Racers.

The Explosion added defensive back Vaughn Carraway who was recently released by the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League. Carraway, native of Reading, PA, played college football at Temple University from 2009-2012. With the Owls, Carraway received numerous on-field honors including Jim Thorp Defensive Back of the Week (2012), CFP Honorable Mention Performer of the Week (2012). In ten games played at free safety as a senior, Carraway recorded 69 tackles. He finished third in the Big East in forced fumbles and 12th in tackles during his final season at Temple.

Veteran quarterback Darmel Whitfield has been added to the roster to provide depth due to the recent injury to Erie starter Aaron Smetanka. The 2014 season will mark his 9th in professional indoor football for the Gannon University Hall of Famer. Whitfield (5'11/190) is Gannon's all-time leader in passing yards (7,156), pass completions (571), completion percentage (57.2), 300-yard games (7), 200-yard games (16), passing touchdowns (53), rushing touchdowns (34), total offensive plays (1,741), total touchdowns-rushing and passing (88), total offense (10,412) and points (210). He ranks second all-time at Gannon in rushing yards (3,256) and third in all-purpose yards (3,365). A Harlon Hill finalist as a senior, Whitfield was a four-time all-region selection and three-time All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) honoree. His accolades include being named to the 2003 D2football.com All-America honorable-mention team and being selected 2003 Independent Football League Offensive Player of the Year.

The Erie Explosion will host the Bluegrass Warhorses on Sunday March 16th at 2:00pm at the Erie Insurance Arena. For more information on the Erie Explosion visit http://www.erieexplosion.com.

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Explosion Bolster Roster for Title Defense

NJ honor student who sued parents for financial support returns home NJ honor student who sued parents for financial support returns home

Updated: Thursday, March 13 2014 8:12 AM EDT2014-03-13 12:12:45 GMT

The New Jersey honor student who sued to get her parents to support her after she moved out of their home has reunited with them, and the family is now asking for privacy.

The New Jersey honor student who sued to get her parents to support her after she moved out of their home has reunited with them, and the family is now asking for privacy.

Updated: Wednesday, March 12 2014 6:38 PM EDT2014-03-12 22:38:20 GMT

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but 80-somethings Carl and Barbara Becker have earned it. The elderly Virginia couple was kicked out of a McDonald's for staying too long, but now, they've got a new place to have their "scrunch."

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but 80-somethings Carl and Barbara Becker have earned it. The elderly Virginia couple was kicked out of a McDonald's for staying too long, but now, they've got a new place to have their "scrunch."

Updated: Wednesday, March 12 2014 12:33 PM EDT2014-03-12 16:33:11 GMT

Could rush hour be putting you at greater risk for heart disease? New research from the University of Washington in Seattle finds that high amounts of pollution from cars is associated with changes in the heart's right ventricle.

Could rush hour be putting you at greater risk for heart disease? New research from the University of Washington in Seattle finds that high amounts of pollution from cars is associated with changes in the heart's right ventricle.

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Local restaurant gives couple booted from McDonalds free "scrunch" for life