February 7, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Ontario Fury Welcome to CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA for tonight's MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE game between the visiting Sacramento Surge and the ONTARIO FURY. This is the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season, with Ontario holding a 3-0 edge in the season series. Tonight's game is presented by National Community Core Renaissance.

VIDEO COVERAGE AVAILABLE: http://golivesportscast.com/2015/02/sacramento-surge-at-ontario-fury-feb-7th/

ABOUT THE FURY

LAST GAME: Beat Sacramento Surge, 11-10, Jan. 31

NEXT GAME: vs. San Diego Sockers, 7 p.m., Feb. 12 at Citizens Business Bank Arena. It is the Fury's final regular season home game in 2014-15.

LAST GAME ROUNDUP: Ontario held a four-goal lead at halftime at Sacramento, and held on as the host Surge rallied to within a goal twice in the second half. Jamar Beasley and Johnny Topete each scored four goals, while Guto Machado had one goal and five assists for Ontario.

LEAGUE HONORS: Both Jamar Beasley and Guto Machado's performances last week landed them on the MASL Team of the Week, which was announced Wednesday. Beasley had seven goals and two assists in the Fury's games in Turlock and Sacramento. Against the Surge, he had four goals and two assists to join the Fury's six-point club. Machado, meanwhile, had a six-point performance against Sacramento (1 goal, 5 assists). Beasley and Machado are the third and fourth players to reach the six-point mark in team history (no one has more than six points in a game).

ANOTHER RECORD: Machado's five assists also bested a team record, as he surpassed Tiguinho, and player-coach Bernie Lilavois with the most assist in a single game. Tiguinho had posted four assists in a game twice, while Lilavois had four in a game earlier this season.

LATE ADDITIONS: The MASL trade deadline was Feb. 1, and the Fury were busy picking up extra help for the playoffs. Before their road trip, Ontario signed free agent Bronil Koochie and traded for Warren Ukah from Las Vegas. After Saturday's game, Ontario received Art Pulido and Juan Gonzalez from Turlock in exchange for cash considerations. Pulido and Gonzalez will be eligible to play in tonight's game.

GOING STREAKING: The Fury are in the midst of their second five-game winning streak of the season, and have won 11 of their last 13 games.

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Ontario Fury Game Notes - February 7, 2015

Crisp is the only remaining player from Melvin's first day on the job.

Never has the roster realignment been more pronounced than the one Melvin will be working with at the start of Spring Training later this month.

The A's have enjoyed success under Melvin's direction. They advanced to the postseason in each of the past three campaigns. But after being eliminated in a five-game American League Division Series in 2012 and '13, they were knocked out in the AL Wild Card Game last season.

That's not enough to satisfy the A's, who are looking for their first World Series championship since 1989, after coming up short in their last 10 postseason appearances. General manager Billy Beane tried to change that in the middle of last season, when he dealt three prospects to the Cubs on July 5 for pitchers Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija. He followed up on that bold move on July 31, when he not only sent Tommy Milone to the Twins for outfielder Sam Fuld, but he also traded outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox for left-hander Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes.

Fuld is the only one of the five in-season additions still with the A's, who head to Arizona with only two members of last year's Opening Day lineup projected to be on the card Melvin fills out for this year's April 6 opener against the Rangers (center fielder Crisp and right fielder Josh Reddick).

Fuld has taken over in left field and Stephen Vogt at catcher. Offseason additions Billy Butler (DH), Ike Davis (first base), Marcus Semien (shortstop) and Ben Zobrist (second base) all project as starters, too.

No team in the big leagues has undergone a bigger makeover than the A's.

Surf's up

With a new front office in San Diego, the Padres have shaken things up in an effort to earn their first postseason berth since 2006. Every other National League West team has made at least two postseason appearances since then.

The Padres have a new outfield, with the additions of Justin Upton in left, Wil Myers in center and Matt Kemp in right. They also picked up third baseman Will Middlebrooks and catcher Derek Norris.

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A's undergo the offseason's most substantial makeover

Gregor Chisholm breaks down some of the options the Blue Jays have to close out games in 2015, including Brett Cecil and Aaron Loup

The same can't necessarily be said for the bullpen, which remains a work in progress. Anthopoulos on Thursday once again stated that he remains open to the idea of adding another player or two either through free agency or trade.

"Second base, I don't expect anything to change between now and the time camp starts," Anthopoulos told reporters prior to the Blue Jays' State of the Franchise event. "We had some things we worked on, we just couldn't get close. The bullpen, those are still open, both in trade and free agency."

With fewer than three weeks until the start of Spring Training, there aren't a lot of relievers available on the open market, but a handful of guys could become fits at the right price. Veteran relievers Rafael Soriano, Francisco Rodriguez, Phil Coke and Joba Chamberlain are a few of the notable players still looking for work.

Soriano and Rodriguez, in particular, have experience closing out games, and while the Blue Jays have a vacancy at the back end of the 'pen, that doesn't necessarily mean they're still in the market for a closer. Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons expressed confidence that left-hander Brett Cecil or rookie Aaron Sanchez would be able to handle the role.

That could leave the club looking for someone to pitch in the middle innings while prospect Daniel Norris and right-hander Marco Estrada compete for the final spot in the starting rotation.

"Cecil is a guy that we think can certainly close," Anthopoulos said. "I don't have any doubts about him being able to do it. The question becomes, are we stronger with him in the ninth, or would we be stronger with Gibby being able to bring him in during the eighth, with a man on third and one out, trying to get the big swing and miss vs. a left-hander.

"[Cecil and Sanchez] can certainly do it, we have all the confidence in the world that they can. Are we the strongest bullpen that we can be -- and team -- with them in the those roles? That's why Spring Training will be important."

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Blue Jays likely to stand pat at second, still looking at 'pen

February 3, 2015 - Frontier League (FL) Traverse City Beach Bums TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The Traverse City Beach Bums are excited to announce a pair of additions to the 2015 roster with outfielder Jay Austin and right-handed pitcher Anthony Montefusco joining the team via a trade with the Southern Illinois Miners, in exchange for pitcher Will Rankin.

Austin is a former second round pick of the Houston Astros and played in 60 games for Southern Illinois in 2014. He batted .292 with 12 doubles and 19 RBI while finishing fifth in the Frontier League with 28 steals. The 24 year old native of Atlanta, GA was originally drafted in 2008 and in six professional seasons has stolen 147 bases. This includes 54 steals while with Lancaster of the California League in 2010.

Montefusco joined Southern Illinois late in 2014 but in four starts he went 2-0 with a 0.37 earned run average. In 24 innings pitched he allowed only 21 hits.

The 23 year old native of Medford, NJ attended George Mason University and pitched four seasons ending in 2014. Over his collegiate career he had 59 appearances with 42 starts compiling a 21-13 record with four saves and a 3.00 earned run average. In his senior season he was named to the A-10 Conference Second Team and to the A-10 Conference All-Tournament Team.

As part of the deal, the Beach Bums send pitcher Will Rankin to Southern Illinois. Rankin emerged as the Beach Bums' closer during the 2014 season, collecting a 5-2 record with eight saves with a 1.08 earned run average. The tenth season of Beach Bums baseball begins Friday May 15 at Evansville at 6:35pm.

The Wuerfel Park offices are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Beach Bums will play 51 games at Wuerfel Park in 2015 starting with the home opener and a FANtastic Fireworks Friday on May 22 at 7:05 pm. Season ticket packages are now available! Fans are invited to come on out to the ballpark and personally choose their seat or call 231-943-0100 for more information.

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Beach Bums Aquire Outfielder & Pitcher Via Trade

February 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL) Hartford Wolf Pack The Wolf Pack (26-13-3-2, 57 pts.) moved into second place in the Northeast Division, and fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, this past week, by sweeping a pair of home games coming out of the All-Star break. A lower-bowl sellout crowd of 6,671 Friday night saw the Wolf Pack's highest-scoring game in over 12 years, as the Pack and Bridgeport Sound Tigers combined for 14 goals in an 8-6 Hartford win. Then on Saturday night, a throng of 10,789, the largest Wolf Pack crowd in nearly two years, packed the XL Center for a 3-1 Pack triumph over Springfield. The line of Joey Crabb (2-2-4), Chris Bourque (1-2-3) and Oscar Lindberg (0-2-2) combined for nine points in Friday's wild offensive showcase, and Danny Kristo added two goals and an assist in that game and scored the game-winner in Saturday's victory.

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

Atlantic Division

Rank Team GP W L OTL SL PTS PCT GF GA STK P10 S/O PIM

1 Manch. Monarchs 43 27 10 4 2 60 0.698 135 98 1-0-1-0 3-3-3-1 1-2 689

2 Portland Pirates 46 25 18 3 0 53 0.576 118 107 1-0-0-0 5-3-2-0 2-0 744

3 Worcester Sharks 44 23 16 3 2 51 0.580 127 120 1-0-0-0 8-2-0-0 1-2 449

4 Providence Bruins 46 22 18 5 1 50 0.543 119 118 0-1-0-0 5-3-2-0 1-1 560

5 St. John's IceCaps 47 19 21 5 2 45 0.479 110 144 1-0-0-1 4-5-0-1 2-2 714

Northeast Division

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Wolf Pack Weekly

I love getting to know people! I literally can talk for hoursand hours! I am so excitedabout all of the link-ups going on right now where I get to meet so many faces behind some of my favorite blogs! Can't wait to read all about you, but before I go check out all of you that have linked up, here are a few things about mejust in case you are interested! 😉

My Teaching History:

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Running. Shopping. Shoes. Meeting new people. My sweet hubby. My fur baby Maya. Decorating. Chocolate. TEACHING. Blogging. Creating. Crafting. The Beach. Travel. Church. Jesus. Hobby Lobby. Reading.

IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

A ROCK STAR! I meancome on! Who doesn't want to have the voice of an angel and be able to share it with thousands of people? Now, don't get me wrong. I would not go all Justin Bieber on everyone and make my way into every tabloid (not for positive reasons), but I would love to live all of the fun parts (not dark parts) of a rock star's life! Plus, I just want to be able to sing, y'all! REALLY!

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Creative. Silly. Blessed.

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________, SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I am so glad I can go home at 3:30 and relax!" .said no teacher ever!

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Second Grade Shenanigans

January 30, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods) Willmar Stingers Willmar, Minn. - The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce the addition of two more returning players to the upcoming 2015 season. Infielder Tyler Leffler (Bradley University) who played for the team in 2013 and Infielder Reagan Fowler (Creighton University) are set to return to Willmar for their second season as a member of the Stingers.

Leffler, a 6-foot-2 junior infielder, played shortstop for the Stingers in 2013 and posting a batting average of .239 in 45 games played. Last summer, Leffler played summer collegiate baseball in the Jayhawk Baseball League for the Hays Larks. He had an outstanding summer, finishing fifth in the league with a .336 batting average and amassed 40 hits in 32 games. He also compiled eight doubles and had three home runs.

As one of two players to start all 51 games for Bradley in 2014, Leffler was the only player to start at the same position for all 51 games. As a sophomore for the Braves, Leffler hit .354 with 64 hits, leading the team in both categories and finished second in batting average in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Fowler, a 6-foot-2 junior first baseman, was a mainstay in the middle of the Stingers lineup throughout the 2014 season. Splitting time at first base and designated hitter with teammate Nick Rivera, Fowler had an average of .315 which was the second-best on the team. He had a team leading 17 doubles, and was second on the team to Rivera in hits (67) and RBI (32). With the addition of Fowler, the Stingers now have secured the top four hitters from last year's playoff team (Jack Ross .360, Fowler .315, Sean Beesley .305 and Nick Rivera .296).

As the reigning 2014 Big East Player of the Year, Fowler came to Willmar off a stellar school where he finished second in the conference in batting (.362) and tied for third in both hits (67) and doubles (16). Reagan should be poised to have another outstanding junior year and has been recently named the 2015 Big East Preseason Player of the Year by the Big East coaches.

"Leffler and Fowler will be great additions to our roster for the upcoming season," Stingers co-owner Ryan Voz said. "Both guys are solid defensively and will provide depth to our batting order on a nightly basis."

With the addition of these two returners the roster for the 2015 Stingers, their sixth in the Northwoods League, is now up to fourteen.

Field Manager Drew Saberhagen, as well as the Stingers organization will continue to build the roster for the 2015 season. Season tickets for the 2015 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit http://www.willmarstingers.com (http://www.willmarstingers.com/undefined) .

The 2015 season is presented by Marcus Construction. From start to finish Marcus Construction will make your job easier and build a facility you will be proud of. With the addition of Tyler Leffler and Reagan Fowler, team now sits with 14 returners for sixth season.

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Stingers Continue to Add Returning Players to 2015 Team

Having Cabrera and a healthy Adam Eaton in front of Abreu will make a difference, with runners consistently on base, but don't discount having LaRoche hitting cleanup behind the reigning American League Rookie of the Year Award winner. It will be more difficult to pitch around him, and LaRoche will help keep Abreu fresh by sharing time at first.

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Of course, Abreu's talent and consistent work ethic are what will keep his statistics strong. Much like fellow standout Chris Sale, though, the numbers and individual awards don't matter much to Abreu. He wants to win.

I like the starting pitching staff for the White Sox going into the 2015 season, but I'm not so confident about the fifth starter spot. Who do you think will be the fifth starter after Spring Training? -- Tony, Downers Grove, Ill.

Barring an unexpected move, which I would never discount with the way general manager Rick Hahn has been maneuvering, Hector Noesi will be the fifth starter. Pitching coach Don Cooper talked at SoxFest as to how he has ideas to help Noesi cement his hold on that job.

Don't forget Carlos Rodon, who I've said many times before could be this team's X factor either out of the bullpen or as a starter in late May or June. And while the White Sox might be done making moves now, they could add a starter in June or July if the situation dictates.

Hahn, Ventura have high expectations for 2015 season

Rick Hahn and Robin Ventura discuss the White Sox's improved roster and share their high expectations for the 2015 season

Is Matt Davidson pretty much through with the White Sox, or will he be given some kind of chance at third base in Spring Training? -- William, Indianapolis

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Inbox: How will new-look Sox lineup affect Abreu?

In the 1920s and 30s, wealthy outsiders began buying up the old estates along the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore to use as country homes and hunting retreats. Robert Brugger wrote about this trend in his book, Maryland, a Middle Temperament: 1634-1980.

Brugger noted that during this time an old home on Corsica Neck went to the wife of a du Pont and General Motors millionaire, a New York advertising man commuted to Manhattan from his waterfront property by seaplane and the Steuben Glass chief executive took ownership of Wye Plantation.

The Bryan-Preston House on Parks Point, which is on the west bank of the Wye River in Queen Annes County, was among the properties snapped up.

The land originally belonged to Valentine Bryan as part of his 752-acre Russell Dale estate. His grandson, George L. Bryan, bought part of the estate and built a farmhouse on it in 1860.

The property remained in agricultural use until 1929, when it was bought by Frances F.C. Preston, widow of President Grover Cleveland, and her second husband, Thomas J. Preston Jr. The Prestons, who lived in Princeton, N.J., used it as a second home.

Born Frances Folsom in 1864 and known as Frank to her family and friends, Frances Preston was the only first lady to be married at the White House and the only one to give birth at the White House. She was 21 and Cleveland 49 when they wed in 1886. After Cleveland died in 1908, she married Preston in 1913. Preston was a manufacturer, classicist, archaeologist and art history professor.

The Prestons added on to the two-story, three-bay farmhouse, tripling its size. The 2 1/2-story addition extends to the east and is the full width and twice the depth of the original house. A small wing extends south from the center of the addition. The two-story porch on the north side resembles the river-facing elevation of Mount Vernon.

The Prestons held onto the property until 1940. The current owners acquired the property in 1956.

Views of the water can be seen from every room in the home. Although the house has been through renovations since the Prestons owned it, many period details have been preserved, including the wide plank floors, deep crown moldings, four-panel doors, and beaded door and window surrounds.

The outdoor, kidney-shaped swimming pool is one of the more recent additions. The seven-foot deep water pier has slips for seven boats.

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House of the Week | Former first ladys home on Eastern Shore for $1.9M

January 28, 2015 - International League (IL) Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Allentown, Pa.) -- The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have named two new additions to their media relations and broadcasting department for the 2015 season. Joe Fitzhenry will be joining the Pigs as media relations assistant, while Darius Montez Thigpen will join as studio host of the IronPigs Radio Network.

Joe Fitzhenry is no stranger to professional baseball even though 2015 will be his first season in the minor leagues. For the past three summers, the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., native has interned in collegiate summer baseball with the Glens Falls Golden Eagles of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) and the Saratoga Brigade and Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) - serving in the broadcasting/media relations department for all three teams. A 2014 graduate of Marist (N.Y.) College, Fitzhenry wrote for the student newspaper, The Circle, for three years and served as sports during his senior year. In addition, Fitzhenry has completed internships in the research department at CBS Sports and in the sports information department at Marist. Fitzhenry received a Communications degree from Marist with a double concentration in Sports Communication and Journalism. With the IronPigs, he will provide daily coverage of the team, as well as assist with publications, statistical information and media requests. Fitzhenry replaces Alec Scercy, who has joined the media relations department of the Charlotte Knights.

Darius Montez Thigpen enters his first season with the IronPigs, serving as the flagship producer and studio host for the IronPigs Radio Network. This will be Thigpen's second season with an International League organization after spending 2014 as a broadcast intern for the Columbus Clippers, where he hosted both the pre and postgame shows and wrote game recaps. In addition, the Tampa native currently serves as a studio host for IMG Radio and has produced both Kent State football and basketball games. A 2014 graduate of The Ohio State University, Thigpen served as the President of Scarlet and Gray Sports Radio, while also working with Buckeye TV and covering the Ohio State baseball beat for The Lantern. Along with baseball, he also gained experience broadcasting football, basketball, hockey, softball, lacrosse, volleyball and soccer at OSU. Thigpen has also done talent work for several "Student U" productions that re-aired on Big Ten Network. He replaces Mark Perlman-Price, who has joined the radio broadcast team for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs.

Other products of the IronPigs media relations and broadcasting department include Tommy Viola, director of media relations for the Charlotte Knights; Tim Murray, ESPN980 update anchor and Washington Redskins Postgame Show update anchor; Tim Doohan, director of communications for the Rochester Red Wings; Robbie Aaron, director of broadcasting & media relations for the Daytona Tortugas; Michael Ventola, play-by-play voice of the Reading Fightin' Phils; Nick Parson, public relations & seasonal assistant for the Oakland Athletics; Adam Dobrowolski, contributing writer for Football Nation; John Skudris, play-by-play voice for UMass-Boston athletics.

As in the past, fans can catch IronPigs action all season long as Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer will be on the air for the eighth consecutive season and their seventh straight on ESPN 1230-1320 AM. Fans can also listen to the broadcast via an internet stream provided by PenTeleData. The season officially begins April 9, when the IronPigs host the Pawtucket Red Sox on Opening Day 2015. Coverage of the 222 Showcase - an annual exhibition game between Lehigh Valley and Reading - will also be provided by the IronPigs Radio Network on April 7.

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IronPigs Add Duo to Media and Broadcast Team