Harden, who was limited to seven appearances (four starts) by a variety of right arm injuries in 2007, powered his way through the vaunted Red Sox lineup on the way to six innings of three-hit work with nine strikeouts and three walks.

“Rich showed tonight against the World [Series] champions how good he is and how much we need him,” A’s manager Bob Geren said. “Tonight, he pitched the way we know he can, and we’re hoping to get 30-plus more of those.”

The right-hander gave credit to his signal-caller for keeping him focused during his six dominant innings, during which he showed a lively fastball, splitter and changeup that had Red Sox batters out of sorts all night.

“My catcher, Kurt Suzuki, called a great game,” Harden said.

“[Harden] had an overpowering fastball,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona added. “When he even got in hitters’ counts, he threw his offspeed, his split. He kept us off-balance. That was a very explosive game that he pitched.”

With or without the assistance of his batterymate, it was apparent early that Harden wasn’t fazed by the unique atmosphere around him in Tokyo Dome.

“It did feel a little different pitching in Japan,” Harden said. “It felt almost like a playoff game. But you just got to treat it like any other start.”

With one impressive start already in the books, Harden could match last season’s total of four by mid-April.

“I’ve had some bad luck the last couple of years,” the right-hander said. “But it was great to be out there. You’ve got to focus on the team and put [the injuries] behind you.”

Haunted by injuries that landed him on the disabled list in each of the past three seasons, Harden didn’t allow a hit until Mike Lowell’s one-out single in the fourth.

Against the most potent 1-2 combination in baseball, Harden was at his best most of the night.

He held David Ortiz hitless in two at-bats, with a walk and a strikeout. Manny Ramirez struck out in the first and fourth innings.

“We had a meeting before the game with Kurt Suzuki and [pitching coach] Curt Young, talking about how we wanted to pitch them,” said Harden. “Kurt Suzuki called the game. We really effectively mixed up our pitches.”

The only blemish on his line came courtesy of Ramirez, who hit a two-out solo homer deep into the left-field bleachers in the sixth.

“I want to give Rich credit,” Ramirez said. “He pitched a great game. He’s got a nasty split, his slider was working. He’s got it all.”

“Manny hit a split out later on, but [Harden's] stuff was phenomenal, as was his location,” Francona added.

Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a two-out RBI single by Chris Denorfia, whose line drive to right field scored Bobby Crosby, who had doubled to open the inning.

An inning later, after Boston starter Jon Lester issued a leadoff walk to Daric Barton and surrendered a bloop single to Mike Sweeney, Brown launched his first homer in an A’s uniform to left-center field.

It was sweet redemption for Brown, whose baserunning blunder between second and third in the 10th inning Tuesday cost the A’s a chance at tying the game off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Brown said. “To be wanted makes you feel more comfortable when you play. It relaxes you a little bit and lets your ability come out.”

The trio of Santiago Casilla, Keith Foulke and Alan Embree each threw a scoreless inning, holding the Red Sox to two hits and allowing Geren to rest closer Huston Street, who threw 1 2/3 innings in Tuesday’s loss.

“We have three guys at the end of the game who have all closed games,” Geren said. “One [reason] is safety. Huston did pitch [in] two innings [Tuesday] night, and it is March. And Embree and Foulke pitched well [Tuesday] night.”

The A’s headed home immediately after the game for their annual three-game exhibition series with the Giants, with games Friday and Sunday in San Francisco and Saturday at McAfee Coliseum.

“Nobody was looking past today,” Geren said. “You have last night, which was a heartbreaker, and today you’re just trying to get even.”

The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 44,735.

“The crowd was loud and the intensity was there, so it was great,” Brown said. “We were all into it because the fans were into it.”

“Thanks a lot to the fans,” added Harden. “It’s been a great experience playing here in Tokyo, and thank you to everybody.”

The Red Sox and A’s square off again on Tuesday in Oakland’s U.S. home opener at McAfee Coliseum.

However, as BALCO and other government probes have revealed, testing athletes for performance-enhancing substances can be an inexact science. In fact, some experts will say it’s practically a crapshoot.

With that, ESPN.com assessed the performance-enhancing drug policies of six major professional sports, plus the NCAA, all measured against the so-called “gold standard” of testing for athletes in the Olympic movement.

Caveat No. 1: The gold standard has its limitations. The Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative scandal revealed many top-level track athletes who, despite using an array of banned drugs — everything from testosterone to oxygen-boosting drug EPO to designer steroids to insulin — passed tests with no problem. It wasn’t until the federal government became involved and a steroid-laced syringe was provided to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that athletes began to get caught.

Caveat No. 2: Nobody is testing blood. For now, that eliminates any chance of catching somebody using human growth hormone.

Caveat No. 3: Even when a policy looks good on paper, its efficacy still depends on how well it is enforced in real time. The NFL, for example, previously didn’t conduct as many tests as it claimed.

Caveat No. 4: All the leagues could get F’s straight across the board, given the inherent flaws in testing and the remaining loopholes in many of the programs — particularly NASCAR, the PGA, the NHL and the NBA. If you’re not going to test in the offseason, it’s all just window dressing. That said, the grading system below is based on a curve, comparing one policy to the next and measuring all against the Olympic testing scheme.

Among the issues or questions considered in doling out grades:

•  Does the sport have year-round, unannounced testing? Anti-doping experts and dopers alike agree that out-of-competition testing might be the most essential part of any drug policy. Most sophisticated dopers generally do the bulk of their drug use in the offseason, then maintain with smaller amounts as the season begins. A policy that does not test drug cheats when they are most likely to be doping is doomed from the start.

•  What kind of transparency is there to the program? In other words, does the sport publicly reveal exactly how many tests it conducted and whether the samples were collected in or out of competition (something USADA does quarterly)?

•  Does the sport’s testing agency employ carbon isotope ratio (CIR) analysis, a more advanced examination of urine samples that can determine whether an athlete is taking synthetic testosterone?

•  Does the organization give its athletes any advance notice of an impending test?

•  In the world of doping, the ratio of testosterone-to-epitestosterone, the so-called T/E ratio, has become a central issue. The typical ratio for a person is 1:1, though there can be variations. The World Anti-Doping Agency rules state that anyone with a ratio above 4:1 can be considered to be doping.

NASCAR — F

The weakest of the weak. Drivers and crew members sign contracts promising not to use illegal and/or banned drugs. NASCAR tests drivers only if it has “reasonable suspicion,” which is defined as, among other things: when a competitor is caught or seen “with illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia” or when a competitor shows “signs, symptoms and/or behaviors known to accompany” drug or excessive alcohol use. Penalties are at the discretion of NASCAR.

Drivers have just as much incentive as any other athlete to take drugs that will increase their stamina and focus. And as pit crews seek to shave fractions of a second from their times, the crew members have plenty of incentive to take steroids to increase their strength and quickness.

NHL — D-

No offseason testing, so this grade is generous. NHL players could use without fear from the end of the regular season (early April) through the start of training camps (early September) and would never have to worry about being tested on game days during the season. First positive test: 20-game suspension. Perhaps the most damning statements about the NHL’s policy have come from the commissioner and the chief of the players’ union, both of whom have stated there simply is no way, no how their sport has a drug problem.

Even with a couple of former players’ stating they believed there was extensive use of performance enhancers in hockey, commissioner Gary Bettman recently demonstrated a lack of understanding about the effectiveness of testing and the drugs themselves. Bettman testified at a congressional hearing that he wasn’t surprised so few players had tested positive “when one considers that the alleged benefits of steroid use — significant large muscle development — are not consistent with playing hockey at the highest level of the sport, and the resulting bulkiness attributable to steroid use simply is not a desired characteristic of skilled NHL players.”

The past five years have exposed gold-medal winning sprinters, major league infielders, world-class cyclists, NFL running backs, and athletes of many more shapes and sizes as benefiting from performance-enhancing drugs. Surely, strength, endurance and speed, for example, would help a hockey player.

The NHL’s lab conducts CIR testing, and the policy gives the league the option of seeking penalties through evidence obtained beyond an actual positive test. Amphetamines, though, are not on the league’s prohibited substances list, and team trainers are told the evening before that testers will arrive at practice the next morning to collect samples.

PGA — D-

After a seven-month “player-education process,” the sport’s first policy goes into effect July 7. Testing will be conducted only at tournaments, meaning that players won’t have to worry about being tested on days they aren’t competing and that most of the big names could use banned drugs with impunity during the 3½ months between seasons. Again, D- is kind.

The policy states that sanctions “may” call for players to be suspended for one year for a first positive test, five years for a second positive and permanently for a third positive. Ultimately, sanctions are at the discretion of the commissioner.

Also, the policy offers no details about what kind of transparency there will be to the PGA’s program. Will the PGA annually report how many tests were conducted? Will it reveal if or when it begins doing out-of-competition testing? Will it address whether any players were tested more than once? A spokesman said the PGA wanted to get through the first half-year of the program before determining how much it would report publicly.

The policy indicates the PGA has the right to know the whereabouts of players at all times, but there is no suggestion, at this point, that players will be required to provide information about their itineraries 24/7. Regarding the T/E ratio, the PGA still uses the old threshold of 6:1.

On the plus side, the PGA has employed attorney and WADA board member Rich Young, a veteran in the anti-doping movement, to help with the development of its program. Young said the PGA policy would include CIR testing, as well as the option of seeking penalties through evidence obtained beyond an actual positive test.

NBA — D

No offseason testing, so a D is more than charitable. The NBA is only slightly better than the NHL and PGA because it seems a little less in denial (though there remains a general insistence that performance-enhancing drugs aren’t a part of the culture of the sport and wouldn’t be of any value to these athletes). Players are subject to four tests per season, but samples are collected only at practices, game-day shootarounds or actual games — meaning a player could use at his home knowing he won’t be caught and could plan his in-season dosing to avoid periods when he might be tested.

The NBA does have a provision that allows it to go after players even in the absence of a positive test, and the policy requires the public identification of the specific substance when a player is caught. The NBA works with a WADA-accredited lab that performs CIR testing in certain situations.

Still, the penalties are weak: 10 games for a first positive, 25 for a second.
NCAA — C

Admittedly, the NCAA has logistical issues none of the professional leagues has to face — namely, more than 400,000 student-athletes covered under the policy. That said, the NCAA’s policy is hardly airtight, and the organization has managed to glide below the radar on the steroids issue for years.

“If you want to nail a group that has gotten a total Get Out of Jail Free card from goofy politicians onward, it’s the NCAA,” says Charles Yesalis, a Penn State professor emeritus and noted steroid expert who has researched the issue for years.

Because of the large number of athletes and the cost factor, many athletes can go through a year — if not their careers — without being tested. Rather than individuals, the NCAA states that each school will be tested at least once during the academic year. Of Division I schools that have football programs, 18 football players will be tested per year, plus another eight athletes total from other sports. If a school doesn’t have a football program, eight students will be tested from the entire pool of the school’s athletes.

Also, by designating institutions instead of individual athletes, the agency that tests on behalf of the NCAA provides schools with advance warning — sometimes as much as 48 hours — that doping control officers will be coming to campus to collect samples for testing. The NCAA works with the WADA-accredited lab at UCLA, which performs CIR testing in certain situations.

NFL — B

In many ways, the NFL has been light-years ahead of every other pro league on this issue, implementing its testing program long before the others seriously considered doing so. All players are tested at least once during the season, although that test wouldn’t reveal much because it comes every year at training camps. With players able to prepare for the collection of their samples, it is little more than an IQ test at that point. Each week, 10 players from each team are selected randomly to be tested, including in the postseason. Even so, players know they won’t be tested on game days.

Players are subject to up to six out-of-season tests, and the league insists they are of the no-notice, knock-on-a-guy’s-door variety. The league also says that it is testing players outside the country and that the lab it employs is conducting random CIR testing of NFL samples. Still, penalties are weak (four games for a first positive, eight games for a second), and the testing data isn’t wholly transparent. The league does not issue an annual, detailed report about numbers of tests and results, however, a 2007 press release stated the NFL conducts 12,000 tests annually, and a spokesman told ESPN.com the number of offseason tests has “historically” been about “25 percent.” Also, when a player tests positive, he is identified, although the specific drug he used is not revealed.

The NFL’s biggest issue is follow-through. On paper, the policy addresses most of the potential loopholes. However, in 2006, the New York Daily News reported that players had a two-month window in which they weren’t being tested and that samples were collected only at stadiums and/or training facilities. The NFL says it since has closed those loopholes.

With so much focus on Major League Baseball, the NFL has managed mostly to stay out of the steroid fray of recent years. That could change, though, as a steroid probe with NFL connections evolves in Texas and as the government continues its investigations of distributors throughout the country.

MLB — B+

For years, though few seemed to want to listen, commissioner Bud Selig insisted baseball had the best steroids policy in all of sports. Now, four revisions later, he might actually be right.

As loopholes have been highlighted (and as Congress has squeezed incessantly), MLB frequently has responded. The policy now tests for more drugs than ever; penalties have been increased (50 games for a first positive, 100 for a second); offseason testing has been employed; the ability for players to receive exemptions for prescription drugs has become more limited; and CIR testing is employed.

The offseason program could be stronger, as only 10 percent of players will be tested under the new policy. Baseball still does not test players’ blood, but if a viable test for HGH becomes available, it will be considered in an annual review period. How willing the union will be to allow blood testing and how hard MLB will be willing to push for it remains to be seen.

As with the NFL, baseball’s two biggest issues are transparency and follow-through. Baseball says it collects information about where players are at all times in the offseason and promises that, under the new policy, a player can be tested anytime, anywhere in the world with no notice. On paper, the policy is strong, but whether the league will enforce it aggressively remains to be seen. Part of its new policy states that baseball will provide a full accounting of its testing annually. And as with the NFL, for a time, baseball also appeared to be testing only at stadiums and with players receiving some warning.

During what is going to be a truly historic weekend, a contingent of women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — the league made famous by the 1992 film “A League of Their Own” — will be on hand to rededicate Simmons Field, the home of the AAGPBL Kenosha Comets from 1948 to 1951 and one of the last remaining AAGPBL
fields in the country.

“The All-Americans will not be with us forever,” said Jim Glennie, head scout for the USA women’s baseball program and the president of the American Women’s Baseball Federation (AWBF), which helped organize the weekend tournament along with MSBL Kenosha. “It is important that a bond be forged between that generation and this generation’s young pioneers. There must be a commitment by the associates who will carry on the All-
American’s legacy to support these young players and let the youth have the same chance the AAGPBL had.”

Surrounding the rededication ceremony, a women’s baseball tournament will showcase some of the most elite women’s baseball teams in the world. The New England Women’s Red Sox, Nashua Pride, Chicago Pioneers, Washington Stars and the Aussie Hearts are scheduled to play. The New England Women’s Red Sox are four-time national champions, while the Chicago Pioneers roster includes 16-year-old Sammi Kane Kraft, who played
Amanda Whurlitzer in the 2005 “Bad News Bears” film and is a bonafide prospect for the USA women’s national team.

USA Baseball will scout the tournament and have tryouts to identify players for the 2008 women’s national team, which will compete in the Women’s World Cup of Baseball Aug. 24-29 in Japan.

Former AAGPBL players are coming to Kenosha from as far away as California, Arkansas and Tennessee for the July 4 rededication ceremony, which also will give fans an opportunity to meet and interact with former players like Dolly (Brumfield) White, an infielder who played for the Kenosha Comets from 1949 to 1951.

White joined the league with the South Bend (Ind.) Blue Sox in 1948 as a 14-year-old from Mobile, Ala. She also played for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Daisies in 1952 and 1953. When she first tried out for the league in 1946, she had never played organized baseball.

After learning AAGPBL scouts were coming to her town for tryouts, White convinced her mother to take her out of school on an April afternoon. They took her grandparents’ car and drove to the tryout, which was being supervised by then-AAGPBL President Max Carey.

White recalled that Carey initially wasn’t sure about taking her into the league because of her age. “Afterward, I said I was 13 but I’d soon be 14,” White said. “And my mother said (to Carey), ‘I don’t want you to take her, I want to know what you thought!’ Well then he wanted me to go to Chicago to be put on one of the teams. So Mr. Carey must’ve been impressed.”

Her memories are still vivid of using Kenosha’s electric streetcars to get to the ballpark and to do errands in Kenosha’s vibrant downtown. The players lived with fans, hung out in soda sshops, and civic groups were instrumental in supporting the teams. “It was an experience certainly,” White said.

In addition to the stories told about the AAGPBL, there’s no doubt classic stories about Simmons Field will linger throughout the weekend as its former players and tenants reminisce on its history.

Simmons Field was built as it stands today with its classic old-time grandstand in 1930 for the Simmons Bedding Company’s baseball team. In addition to being the home ballpark of the Kenosha Comets, it has since been the playing grounds for various amateur baseball teams, Warren Spahn, Satchel Paige, the minor league Kenosha Twins and chart-topping pop group ‘N Sync.

These days, a local group is working to ensure Simmons Field will build on its history. In 2007 the Kenosha Simmons Baseball Organization (KSBO), a non-profit group interested in raising awareness of the ballpark, began leasing the stadium. While MSBL Kenosha also has been a major proponent of KSBO and the ballpark’s restoration, the groups already have undertaken multiple refurbishing projects that included rebuilding the field’s once- treacherous infield areas.

“Simmons is a rare gem and one of only a few old-time community ballparks with real history,” said Tom Carlson, a member of the KSBO and MSBL boards. “Restoring Simmons Field is about the future.”

The Women’s Hall of Fame Tournament will provide fans an unparalleled opportunity to talk with AAGPBL players and watch World Cup level baseball. Additionally, fans will get a taste of the ballparks old-time feel by purchasing concessions and perusing the products and exhibits offered at various vendor booths.

“Unlike a trip to Wrigley Field or Miller Park, this is an up-close experience,” Carlson said. “They will get to hear the crack of a bat and view the key play at home.”

Simmons Field is located at 78th Street and Sheridan Road in Kenosha, Wis., which is located on the shore of Lake Michigan about 50 miles north of Chicago and 32 miles south of Milwaukee. Admission will be $4 for fans 11 years and older; children and senior citizens will be admitted for free.

MSBL Kenosha was formed in the spring of 2006 as a non-profit affiliate of the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL)/Men’s Adult Baseball League (MABL), a national organization with more than 3,200 teams and 45,000 members who play organized amateur baseball in local leagues. For more information, go to www.msblkenosha.com.

The American Women’s Baseball Federation (AWBF) is a non-profit organization founded to help women’s baseball teams throughout the country network and compete in organized tournaments. AWBF is responsible for identifying elite talent for the USA women’s national baseball team. For more information, go to www.awbf.org.

(For more information about the Women’s Hall of Fame Classic, including Web links, tournament team profiles and Hi-res photos, go to www.msblkenosha.com.)

“All the bids were of a very high standard,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “It is a tribute to the health of the Olympic Movement that the field was so strong. I congratulate the Candidate Cities and I hope that those cities which were unsuccessful this time have benefited from the process.”

The selection was made by the IOC’s Executive Board in Athens, venue for this week’s SportAccord conference. The decision was based on a technical analysis of the Applicant Cities’ applications submitted earlier this year. The analysis and subsequent report was made by a working group of Olympic Games experts who assessed each Applicant City’s potential for staging successful Olympic Games in 2016. The technical assessment was based on 25 questions, covering a variety of areas such as venues, transport, accommodation and security. The full report made by the working group is available on the IOC website, www.olympic.org.

The four Candidate Cities now have until 12 February 2009 to submit their Candidature File to the IOC. These files will be analysed in detail by an IOC Evaluation Commission, which will also visit the Candidate Cities, before issuing a report one month prior to the election. The final decision on the host city for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 will be made by the full IOC membership on 2 October 2009 during the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen.

Please note: the Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, which outlines the procedures, rules and deadlines to be respected until the election of the host city, as well as the in-depth questionnaire which Candidate Cities must respond to in their Candidature File, are also available on the IOC website, www.olympic.org.

The joint mission of Major League Baseball and the Taylor Hooton Foundation is the education and training of young people, parents and coaches about the dangers of steroids and other performance-enhancing substances and about appropriate fitness and conditioning programs. Major League Baseball and the Taylor Hooton Foundation share the objective of reducing the incidence rate of steroids and other performance-enhancing drug use among American youth.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation was formed in memory of Taylor E. Hooton, a promising 17-year-old prep baseball player who took his own life on July 15, 2003 as a result of his abuse of anabolic steroids.Major League Baseball became a founding sponsor of the Taylor Hooton Foundation in August 2005, initially providing a $1 million contribution. The new agreement extends the commitment to 2011. MLB will continue to encourage all Major and Minor League Clubs to support and promote the Taylor Hooton Foundation. A web page devoted to information about the Taylor Hooton Foundation will be created in the community section of MLB.com and also will include a link to the Taylor Hooton Foundation web site. MLB will allow the use of its logo on the Taylor Hooton Foundation’s web site and its other educational and promotional materials.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation will present its Hoot’s Chalk Talk Program in the vast majority of MLB ballparks on an annual basis over the term of the agreement in conjunction with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers (PBATs) PLAY program. The first event of the year will be on Friday, June 13th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Hoot’s Chalk Talk events provide kids with a combination of information about how they can improve their performance, build strength and enhance their conditioning the right way – without having to cheat, use drugs and put their lives and health at risk. In addition, they will receive Ripken Quickball skills training.

“Major League Baseball has been thoroughly impressed by the work of the Taylor Hooton Foundation since our alliance began three years ago,” Commissioner Selig said. “Don Hooton’s leadership in the fight against steroids and performance-enhancing substances has been inspiring. Major League Baseball’s collaboration with the Taylor Hooton Foundation is an important component of our extensive overall efforts to support awareness, education and research. We look forward to expanding our relationship with the Taylor Hooton Foundation.”

Added Hooton: “This season, through the support of Major League Baseball, we will hold Chalk Talks in almost every MLB ballpark. By educating kids, we are focusing on the next generation of ballplayers, whether they go on to the Big Leagues or end their playing careers in Little League. We are protecting not just the game’s future, but the future of our kids and families.”

This Foundation was founded by Don Hooton, a Texas businessman, with the goal of abolishing performance enhancing drugs through evaluation, education and elimination. Parents, coaches and kids can get more information about the dangers of steroids and other drugs, how to train the right way, and the Foundation at www.taylorhooton.org.

The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) is pleased to announce that Thunder Bay will be the host of Warm Up to the Worlds, our World Junior Lead Off Celebration, presented by Gore Motors Honda, a warm-up tournament for Canada’s Under 19 Junior National Baseball team and the Junior National team of Chinese-Taipei.

“We’re very excited to host this important amateur baseball event,” stated Larry Hebert, President of the TBIBA. “We are also thrilled to unveil our website www.tbibaseball.ca that depicts what our Board of Directors is trying to achieve with this event and future events. We look forward to partnering with all facets of the community in Thunder Bay to make this a successful and beneficial event for all. Having the Canadian National team start their preparations for the Edmonton World Juniors later in July is symbolic in light of the preparations we are making to
host the Worlds ourselves in 2010. Finally, the Junior National Team from Chinese-Taipei playing in this event will mark the first time a national team from Asia has ever competed in baseball in Northern Ontario, let alone, Thunder Bay.”

The event will take place from July 13th to 16th at Port Arthur Stadium and  will feature a local Select team from the Thunder Bay Senior Baseball Association in addition to the two national teams of 17 and 18 year old elite players representing their countries. This warm-up event is the fifth such event that local baseball organizers have hosted dating back to 1995. The event will also feature several marquee events that will occur alongside the four baseball games over two days. Details of these events will be released over the coming weeks.

“The TBIBA is hoping that this event will be a catalyst for recruiting volunteers and truly engaging the community as we continue with our preparations to host the 2010 World Juniors,” added Hebert. “With the improvements being made to Baseball Central and the presence of the Port Arthur Stadium, our facilities, not to mention our location on the continent, lend themselves to hosting big national and international events.”

The TBIBA would like to acknowledge the support of the City of Thunder Bay through the Event Development Grant Funding Program.

5/9 – KIA 12, Woori 1
5/10 – KIA 4, Woori 15/11 – KIA 3, Woori 1

Good news Tigers fans, KIA is showing signs of life for the first time all year. On Friday, the story was Jose Lima (5.70 ERA, 1-2, 1.47 WHIP). Lima tossed 7 strong innings(89 pitches, 55 strikes) allowing only two hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. Woori helped out the KIA offense more than it should have by allowing 7 walks and committing three errors in the field during the Friday romp. The big bat for KIA was Lee Hyeon-gon(.254/.306/.343). Lee went 2-3 with a homer, a walk, 3 RBI and two runs scored.

KIA continued its hot pitching on Saturday and Sunday. Seo Jae-weong (3.72 ERA, 2-3, 1.49 WHIP) tossed 7 innings (100 pitches, 64 strikes) on Saturday. He allowed only 1 run on 4 hits and struck out 5. Lee Dae-jin (3.80 ERA, 1-3, 1.61 WHIP) started on Sunday. He tossed 5 innings (83 pitches, 49 strikes) while surrendering 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks. Han Ki-ju (2.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8 saves) saved both games for the Tigers.

Lotte vs. Doosan

5/9 – Lotte 9, Doosan 2
5/10 – Lotte 5, Doosan 3
5/11 – Doosan 4, Lotte 1

Friday’s lopsided affair featured a complete game from Lotte starter Marty McCleary (4.78 ERA, 2-1, 1.57 WHIP). McCleary needed 126 pitches (82 strikes) to go the distance against Doosan. He allowed 2 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 9. Both Lee Dae-ho (.350/.448/.525, 5 HR, 31 RBI) and Karim Garcia (.252/.326/.504, 8 HR, 25 RBI) clubbed homers on Friday.

Starting pitching was also the story on Saturday for Lotte. Lotte’s Song Sung-jun (4.99 ERA, 5-2, 1.51 WHIP) threw 7 strong innings ( 107 pitches, 65 strikes). He allowed 3 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. He added 4 punchouts. The game was 5-0 when Doosan mounted a fake rally in the 7th off of a weary Song. Doosan’s Kim Hyeon-su (.366/.449/.485, 24 RBI, 8 SB) hit a two-run bomb in the inning. Cho Seong-hwan (.339/.377/.449) was Lotte’s top hitter on Saturday. Cho was 3-4 with a double, a homer, a walk, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored.

On Sunday, it was Doosan who received some strong starting pitching. Lee Hye-cheon (5.13 ERA, 2-1, 1.25 WHIP) tossed 6 1/3 innings(91 pitches, 57 strikes) allowing only one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 5. Lotte’s only run came from a Kang Min-ho (.349/.424/.632, 7 HR, 22 RBI) solo homer in the 2nd inning. Doosan’s offense did muster 4 runs, but they came with a lot of help. Doosan only had 2 hits and three walks all day. Most of the runs came with help from 3 Lotte fielding errors.

Hanhwa vs. LG

5/9 – Hanhwa, 11 LG 5
5/10 – Hanhwa 7, LG 6
5/11 – LG 6, Hanhwa 1

Hanhwa clubbed three homers during their Friday night trouncing of LG. Kim Tae-gyun (.295/.4.05/.663, 10HR 28 RBI), Doug Clark (.320/.409/.660, 12 HR, 33 RBI) and Lee Yeong-woo (.347/.409/.512) all went long in the romp. LG starter Jamie Brown had another rough inning. He only lasted three innings while giving up 5 runs on 7 hits and two walks.

Doug Clark continued to make his early case for league MVP on Saturday night. Clark clubbed two more homeruns while going 2-3 with 4 RBI and two runs scored. Brad Thomas (3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 6 saves) struck out three and only gave up 1 hit during his 1 1/3 inning of work. He recorded the save.

On Sunday it took an excellent effort from LG starter, Bong Jung-gun (3.71 ERA, 3-5, 1.34 WHIP), to beat Hanhwa and ace pitcher, Ryu Hyeon-jin (2.60 ERA, 5-2, 1.23 WHIP). Dr. Bong threw 8 1/3 innings (114 pitches, 66 strikes) allowing one run on 4 hits and three walks while striking out 5. The lone Hanhwa run came on a solo homer by Kim Tae-won (.294/.399/.563, 9 HR, 25 RBI). Ryu took the loss for Hanhwa, but it was the Hanhwa bullpen that allowed most of the damage. Ryu threw 6 innings (101 pitches, 62 strikes) allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks. He only struck out 4. LG’s top hitter was Ahn Chi-yong (.410/.540/.692 in only 39 AB’s). Ahn went 2-4 with a homer, 3 RBI and 1 run scored.

Samsung vs. SK

5/9 – SK 8, Samsung 5
5/10 – Samsung 7, SK 4
5/11 – SK 10, Samsung 7

Friday night’s game was a 4 hour grindfest. Both teams were fairly sloppy tried to use as many pitchers as possible. The big bats were SK’s Park Kyeong-won (.306/.417/.463) and Samsung’s Choi Hyeong-woo (.267/.347/.456). Park went 2-5 with a homer, 4 RBI and one run scored. Choi was 2-4 with a homer, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Saturday’s game featured both better weather and a better result for the home team. SK banged out 14 hits, but Samsung pitching didn’t give them much help. Samsung’s 5 pitchers didn’t walk anyone. Park Kyeong-won clubbed another homer while going 3-4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored. Samsung’s catcher, Jin Kab-yong (.337/.404/.547, 6 HR, 19 RBI) also clubbed a homer while going 3-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Between the two teams, there were over 90 at bats. Samsung 1st baseman, Jacob Cruz (.304/.385/.400, 20 RBI) went 2-4 with a homer, a walk, 2 RBI and one run scored. SK’s Kim Jae-hyeon (.326/.433/.558) was 3-6 with two doubles, 3 RBI and two runs scored.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2008
MLB AND MLBPA RATIFY JOINT DRUG AGREEMENT

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced today that both
parties have ratified the amendments to the Joint Drug Agreement that were announced last month.

###

Other relevant reports:

Report courtesy Associated Press

May 15, 2008 at 2:50 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE – Baseball owners unanimously ratified tougher drug testing rules Thursday, and commissioner Bud Selig said he will now turn his attention to whether maple bats have become dangerous.

Players have until May 23 to ratify the drug agreement, which will increase the frequency of tests and the authority of the program’s independent administrator.

“A lot of it can be enacted right away,” Selig said.

Milwaukee Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said a tougher drug policy is important to the spectators.

“I talk to fans and they want to see it clean,” Attanasio said. “They want to know that what they’re seeing out there is legitimate. Also, especially in its historical context, the fans want to see that when they compare players of this generation to prior generations, that the performance is legitimate.”

The next frontier in drug testing may be the development of a validated, commercially available test for Human Growth Hormone.

“We’re working very hard,” Selig said. “We’re watching what happens in the Olympics. We’re always concerned. And as I said yesterday, nobody wants a test more than I do.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced it will have a blood test for HGH available at the Beijing Olympics. MLB has commissioned a joint study with the NFL to develop a test.

Selig said the executive council discussed players’ use of bats made from maple wood, which seem to be shattering more frequently – and in a more dangerous fashion – than those made of ash.

Selig said the discussion was “very premature,” and baseball officials plan to discuss the issue with the players’ association and the rules committee before taking any action.

Asked if baseball would consider regulating the thickness of maple bat handles or even ban them entirely, Selig said it was too early to say.

“I don’t want to get into any of that, because I’m not sure,” Selig said. “We’re working on a lot of things. But it’s been a source of concern for me.”

Pittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Don Long was injured when he was hit by the shattered fragments of a bat used by Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouth during an April 15 game in Los Angeles.

Selig believes it’s a trend.

“I watch a lot of games, and I’m concerned,” he said.

In other developments:

-Selig said the Milwaukee Brewers’ signing of young star Ryan Braun to a $45 million, eight-year contract was a good sign for the economic health of the sport. It followed long-terms deals for Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria
and Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki.

“I think it’s a function of our economic system in some circumstances, yes. I do,” Selig said. “And there’s been quite a few of them and I think it’s productive. I’m sure clubs will continue that.”

-Selig was pleased with ticket sales. “We’re running ahead of last year, which was our all-time record,” Selig said. “And we’ve had really horrendous weather, I must say. Now, we say that every spring, but I really think, particularly in the Midwest, it’s been really difficult.”

-Selig is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Tribune Co.’s apparent decision to sell the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field as a package instead of separately. “I want to see what they do,” Selig said. “I think they’re coupled, but we’ve had a lot of stops and starts.”

-Owners heard yet another report on the pace of the game. “We do have concerns on the pace of the game, and a lot of ideas,” Selig said.

On Sunday the SISSACH FROGS, (1-3), go on the road to Zurich to play the CHALLENGERS, (3-5). Unfortunate news for the CHALLENGERS as Harry Bregy, (6-3, 2.07 ERA 2007), injured his ankle during the friendly matchup in Germany, and should be unavailable for the mound. This puts the pressure squarely on the CHALLENGERS, as Thomas Landis and Thomas Burger must be able to give significant innings. When this is not possible, Andy Fleischacker will have to pick up the slack. The CHALLENGER bats did explode two weeks ago, in particular Saentis Zeller, (5 doubles and a home run). The FROGS coming off hard fought losses to the BERN CARDINALS, look game to get back on the winning track. The FROGS are the only team to beat the potent offense of the INDIANS this year, and I believe have a shot to upset the home team once this weekend. This is key on how well Danny Traina throws, and of course how the Heerenschurli comes into play.
Prediction- GAME 1- 11-5, CHALLENGERS. GAME 2- 7-5, FROGS.

The last game of the weekend takes place in Lausanne, the WIL DEVILS,(1-5), travel to take on the INDIANS,(3-1). The DEVILS, with the upset of the season thus far, defeating the FLYERS, are riding a 4 game losing streak. That looks to continue as the take on the hard hitting Indians. The saving grace for the DEVILS maybe the curve ball of Rusty Biederman. When their pitching staff can keep the INDIAN hitters off balance, they can keep it close. Unfortunately for the DEVILS, I don’t see this happening. I have yet to see the revamped team, but don’t see them surprising the Indians. The INDIANS just have too much firepower with the Ramirez, DeFritas, Casamiro and several other potent hitters.
Prediction- GAME 1- 15-8, INDIANS. GAME 2- 10-4 INDIANS.

The BERN CARDINALS,(6-0), and the REUSSBUEHL EAGLES,(1-3), both have the weekend off.

RIMINI won two out of three last weekend against SAN MARINO and hopes to continue their march to the top. They are heavily favored against GODO, which lost the first twelve games of the season. PARMA which lost all three games to NETTUNO hopes to get back on track to close the gap up to the front. They have a golden opportunity, as they are playing the team right in front of them.

On Friday the other four squads resume their schedule too, with the clash between MONTEPASCHI GROSSETO and FORTITUDO BOLOGNA the highlight. These will be three intense and interesting games.

Time     Home      Visitor     Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Thursday, May 15 2008
20:30     De Angelis Godo     Telemarket Rimini     ”A. Casadio” Godo     Italy
21:00     T&A San Marino     Cariparma     Stadio del Base…     Italy

Friday, May 16 2008
20:30           Fortitudo 1953     Stadio Roberto …     Italy
20:30     Potocco Rangers Redipuglia     Danesi Caffe’ Nettuno     Potocco Rangers…     Italy
20:30     Cariparma     T&A San Marino     Stadio del Base…     Italy
20:30     Telemarket Rimini     De Angelis Godo     ”A. Casadio” Godo     Italy
Saturday, May 17 2008
20:30           Fortitudo 1953     Stadio Roberto …     Italy
20:30     Potocco Rangers Redipuglia     Danesi Caffe’ Nettuno     Potocco Rangers…     Italy
20:30     Cariparma     T&A San Marino     Stadio del Base…     Italy
20:30     Telemarket Rimini     De Angelis Godo     ”A. Casadio” Godo