Archive - Sports Article
April 14th, 2013
A little of this, a little of that âŠ
Thereâs plenty of blame to go around now that a Massachusetts group has been given the responsibility to assign, evaluate and train officials for Ocean State-based games.
Itâs the result of an embarrassing fallout exposing unfortunate and regrettable decisions made by all involved parties in the saga over the fate of Rhode Island high school football officials.
PAWTUCKET -- Freshly activated off the disabled list, Mitch Maier made a thrilling debut at McCoy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Maier, a 30-year-old center fielder who suffered a left wrist sprain back on March 17, spent the last few weeks in extended spring training, and he admitted being anxious about returning to the diamond.
April 13th
LINCOLN â June 17, 2011 is one of the most memorable days of Kody Nordbyâs life, and itâs not just because that was the day he graduated from Woonsocket High.
Rather, itâs what happened immediately after he received his diploma. Nordby hustled to the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, Mass. to make his amateur debut against Mark Johnson of Brighton, Mass. at the AFOâs (American Fighting Organization) Summer Brawl II.
PAWTUCKET â The story on Saturday afternoon wasnât so much that the Pawtucket Red Sox assembled a mammoth sixth-inning rally to snag a 7-1 Game 1victory over the Rochester Red Wings at McCoy Stadium, but instead that David Ortiz played a key role in it.
The 37-year-old designated hitter, on a 20-game rehab stint with Pawtucket after suffering a right Achillesâ injury in a triumph over the Chicago White Sox last July 16, delivered a two-run ground single to right to help his club extend its lead to 4-1 â and continue Pawtucketâs finest-ever start to a season.
April 12th
CUMBERLAND â For runners like Dave Constantino, the unicorn on the logo of the Boston Marathon has been fitting.
For nearly a decade at the hallowed 26.2-mile race, the 43-year-old Cumberland native has tried to track down his own personal unicorn â that is, break the 3-hour mark â but each time, heâs fallen short.
And he has come oh-so-close. Two years ago, his time was 3:04:46. The previous year, he ran a 3:07:40. And in 2006, his second trip to Boston, he turned in a 3:09:27.
PAWTUCKET â From a win-loss perspective, the Pawtucket Red Sox canât ask for much more. Winners of six of seven games, it seems that Mother Nature, not the opposition, is the teamâs toughest foe in the seasonâs early stages.
Fridayâs postponement of Rochester-Pawtucket marks the second time in three days that the pitter-patter of raindrops has come into play for Gary DiSarcinaâs ball club. This past Wednesday saw Pawtucket play two innings at Lehigh Valley before the game was halted in the second inning due to rain.
April 11th
PAWTUCKET â It was clear that David Ortiz was in no mood to stroll down memory lane.
Asked if he felt a touch of nostalgia upon returning to McCoy Stadium for the first time since the memorable three-game show he put on during the summer of 2008, the Red Sox slugger offered a wry smile. After being down for so long, itâs clear that Ortiz is using his rehab stint with the PawSox as a prime opportunity to make up for lost time.
âBeen a while, huh? Yeah, man, just coming down here to get some at-bats and get that engine going,â said a succinct Ortiz.
PAWTUCKET â As if enough confidence wasnât radiating from Jose Iglesias already, the shortstop was privileged enough to spend part of his Thursday afternoon with a noteworthy batting practice partner.
About two hours prior to first pitch, David Ortiz emerged from the clubhouse to get a few on-field swings. Fighting through the crowded wall of TV cameras and microphones, Iglesias had every intention of stepping in the cage the moment Ortiz needed a breather.
Iglesias may have been at McCoy Stadium, but it was clear that the big leagues were still on his mind.
April 10th
Wednesdayâs announcement from the Rhode Island Principalsâ Committee on Athletics regarding the awarding of a two-year football officialsâ contract to a group from Massachusetts does not automatically spell the end of Rhode Island-based officials from overseeing games statewide.
What remains to be seen is just how many Rhode Island officials are willing to put hurt feelings aside and âbreak ranks,â those words coming from Bruce Guindon, a Pawtucket native and registered Interscholastic League official.
PAWTUCKET â A tip for those with plans to turn out at McCoy Stadium for the Pawtucket Red Soxâ home opener on Thursday night: Make every effort to get comfortably seated by around 6:15.
An elaborate pre-game ceremony laced with pageantry will directly lead into the 7:05 first pitch between Pawtucket and Rochester. The festivities commence with a tribute to neighboring police and fire units. The jubilant spirit inside the ballparkâs walls will undoubtedly remain at a fever pitch when the 2012 Governorsâ Cup champion PawSox are recognized as part of a special ring ceremony.
