Malley Signs With Buckeyes

Gaither pitcher/first baseman Drew Malley confirmed this afternoon he has signed with Ohio State, his mother Tammy's alma mater.

Malley, a 6-foot-3 right-hander, finished 7-1 with a 1.89 ERA as a senior, striking out 46 and walking only 10 in 44.1 innings. Offensively, he hit .253 with 15 RBIs.

A three-year varsity player for the Cowboys, Malley said he had been contacted by South Florida and received an offer from Florida Gulf Coast. Ohio State, however, had been atop his list since last fall, when he attended the OSU-Michigan football game during a visit.

Malley said he'll pitch for the Buckeyes.

Steroid testing program also tests for masking agents

Florida's steroid testing program will also test for "substances that are used to mask the use of anabolic steroids," the FHSAA released Tuesday.

The anabolic steroids they will test for include, but are not limited to, THG and Madol.

The program was discussed with member schools at the compliance seminar Monday and Tuesday. More details of the program were hashed out (check out link below), including confirming that, indeed, the three female sports (softball, flag football and weightlifting) will be included.

Here's how it'll work:

Any athlete who wants to participate in the six targeted sports - baseball, football, weightlifting (boys and girls), softball and flag football -- will have to sign a consent form to be tested. If not, they will not be ineligible. If they play more than one of those sports, there's a possibility they can be tested twice.

The National Center for Drug Free Sport, which will administer the testing, will first randomly select the school(s) to be tested. They will notify the selected schools at least seven days in advance that they are sending an agent to collect the samples.

On the day the agent arrives, he or she will tell the school which athelte(s) will be selected and then take them to a private room to collect both the "A" and "B" sample. The "B" sample is being taken for purposes of of an appeal.

For more information, check out the FAQ from the FHSAA.

http://www.fhsaa.org/compliance/steroid_testing/drug_test_prog_info.pdf

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Deaths of Walsh, Prosser Reverberate Locally

The grievous ripple effect of the deaths of Wake Forest men's basketball coach Skip Prosser and NFL Hall of Famer Bill Walsh reached at least two Bay area coaches with especially close ties to one or the other.

Berkeley Prep volunteer assistant Andre Kirwan, a 1992 Jesuit graduate who played three seasons (1992-94) for Walsh at Stanford, described Walsh today as the "consummate professional" whose presence and three Super Bowl rings evoked awe from Cardinal players.

"To me, the thing that stands out about Coach Walsh was, when he walked into the room it was instant respect," said Kirwan, who caught 57 passes as a Jesuit senior. "He was just a legend, and the room was always full of NFL people. ... And he treated us like professionals who were capable of taking care of our responsibilities on and off the field."

Kirwan said he had already made his official visit to Stanford when Walsh was lured from retirement to replace Denny Green as coach of the Cardinal. Ten minutes after hearing of Walsh's hiring on TV, Kirwan recalled, the coach phoned his house.

"He said, 'This is Bill Walsh of the San Francisco 49ers. Oh, I'm sorry, Bill Walsh of the Stanford Cardinal,'" Kirwan recalled.

Days earlier, Tampa Catholic boys basketball coach Don Dziagwa was sent reeling by Prosser's sudden death of an apparent heart attack.

Prosser, among five groomsmen in Dziagwa's wedding, hired the Crusaders coach on his staff at Wheeling (W. Va.) Central Catholic High in 1979. When Wake Forest traveled to Tampa last March for the ACC Tournament, the Demon Deacons practiced in TC's gymnasium.

"Stuff like that puts everything into perspective," Dziagwa said. "Maybe a month or two ago I talked to him. My son (Matt) is going to North Carolina Wesleyan and we talked about maybe seeing each other."

SEMINOLE VS. NORTH PALM BEACH, LIVE

We’re about 20-25 minutes from game time and the field is shaping up quite nicely. Kudos to the Parks and Recreation department here at Canopy Oaks. To follow along with live updates, click on the comments link below. Tonight’s matchup should be a great one. Both teams are 4-0, both have had tight games and both are one step away from the Southeast Regional at Gulfport. I’m in a covered area with an outlet, so we should be good to go on the live blog. North Palm Beach
knocked Seminole out of the state tournament two years ago, so there a good history between these teams. NPB saved their ace for the final, so we’ll see what he has. Their “No. 2”, though, fanned 15 out of 18 outs in the other semifinal this morning. That says a lot. However, if tonight's starter is a power pitcher, that plays right into Seminole’s hands. Seminole hits the fastball with the best of them. Coach Ira Berman has all of his pitchers available, with the exception of Mike Mann. The staff is very deep and Berman will likely throw a number of them to give NPB different looks. Early word is Brett Phillips will get the start for Seminole. I’m leaving for the field right now, so I’ll have starting lineups available shortly.

-- Brandon Wright

SEMINOLE FINAL SET FOR 5 P.M.

Seminole's championship game has been moved to 5 p.m. I just came from the field and they are furiously working on it. It looks to be in decent shape and they have five workers tending to it. It is still very overcast and slightly drizzling, but they want to get the game in tonight. According to Little League rules, an inning can't begin after 11 p.m. Should it get delayed until tomorrow, the game won't be until some time in the evening, according to the site director. She said this is the case because all the volunteers already had to miss work Friday and Monday, and another day off from work is out of the question. Should anything change between now and game time, I'll post it in this thread. Otherwise, I'll be back online at 4:40 p.m.

Brandon Wright

Fossil Park Rolls into Semis

Fossil Park’s 13-under team advanced to the semifinals of the Dizzy Dean World Series in Memphis, Tenn. Fossil Park won twice on Monday and will play Georgia at 5:30 Tuesday.

In the first game, Ryan Schultz hit a game-winning triple in the seventh inning to defeat Mississippi 6-5. DeShon Thomas was the winning pitcher.

In the second game, Fossil Park defeated Florida’s other team 20-9 in five innings. Schultz was 5-for-5, Thomas was 4-for-5, Max Eaton was 3-for-4 with five RBI, Ryan Harbor hit a grand slam and Colin Shumake was 3-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored.

Should Fossil Park win Tuesday it would advance to the final on Thursday

Seminole Update

It has been dumping rain here in Tally for the about the last 25 minutes. And when I say dumping, I mean like hurricane-style rain. My best educated guess is that the 4 p.m. start won't happen. The fields didn't drain especially well after some light rain last night, and I'm currently looking at about 4 inches of standing water in the the parking lot of the Tallahassee Mall. I've been in touch with coach Berman and I will post something regarding start times as soon as I know.

Brandon Wright

It's A Boy For TC's Henriquez

Don't be surprised if Tampa Catholic football coach Bob Henriquez arrives at the opening day of preseason practice with a distinct twinkle in his bloodshot eyes.

Henriquez is getting sleep in two- to three-hour increments these days, thanks to the July 26 arrival of he and wife Carrie's first child. Drew Alexander Henriquez was born at 8:20 p.m. at Tampa General Hospital at a healthy size of 7 pounds, 4 ounces.

"Everybody's great," Henriqez said this afternoon.

The Crusaders begin practice Monday. Expect Henriquez to bring pictures.

Pinellas Park's Carden commits to Stetson

Pinellas Park senior guard Cam Carden had Stetson coaches as his shadow this summer.

They watched him at several tournaments, including last weekend's AAU nationals. The 6-foot-1 sharpshooter had visited the campus several times.

On Sunday, Carden rewarded the coaches loyalty, giving his oral commitment to Stetson.

"They've been by my side all summer - and never gave up on me," Carden said. "They shoot a lot of 3s, and their coaches said I'd be a real good fit."

Carden averaged 15 points and five assists for the Patriots, which had one of their best seasons in recent memory with 19 wins. Carden's forte came from behind the arc, where he netted 85 3 pointers while shooting 40 percent.

The Hatters finished 11-20 last season, losing in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Tournament to No. 1 seed East Tennessee State. Carden will likely help take the place of a former Pinellas County standout - Indian Rocks Gabe McMillen - who ended his Stetson career this spring with the career-record for games played (117).

Former Countryside standout Collins Okafor (transfer from Marshall) starts at center for Stetson.

Carden is the third county rising senior to commit during this offseason; Clearwater's Luke Loucks (Florida State) and Oldsmar Christian's Jordan Fair (North Florida) the others.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Photo of Pinellas Park senior Cam Carden. Times photo by Dirk Shadd.

SEMINOLE IN THE SEMIS

Greetings from our state capital, Tallahassee's Canopy Oaks Communit Park. To follow along with the Seminole Major Baseball team as they take on North Springs today in the semifinals, just click the comments link below. I'll be posting updates as frequently as I can throughout today's 10 a.m. game. Should Semiole win, they will play tonight at 5:30 in the championship game with a berth at next week's Southeast Regional at Gulfport. Seminole won in dramatic fashoin yesterday, with Anthony Lamoureux hitting a walk-off, three-run homer with two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the sixth.

--Brandon Wright

Jesuit's Workhorse Going To The 'Dogs?

Only three months ago, Kevin Valenti's career appeared destined for some obscure college football outpost. Now, the ex-Jesuit tailback may be headed for college football's mecca.

Or more specifically, the Southeastern Conference.

Valenti, whose 1,600 rushing yards led Hillsborough County in the 2006 regular season, said tonight he will leave Tuesday for Starkville, Miss., where he will contemplate whether to accept Mississippi State's offer to join the team as a preferred walk-on.

If he doesn't like it, he'll shoot over to Thibodaux, La., where a partial scholarship offer from Division I-AA Nicholls State awaits.

"Three months ago, I thought I was going up to the frozen tundra of New York and playing Division III," said Valenti, whose size (5-foot-10, 182 pounds) didn't exactly woo recruiters.

"It's kind of crazy. Right now, honestly, I'm leaning a little toward Mississippi State."

The backfield workhorse for Jesuit, Valenti ran for all 121 of his team's yards in a one-quarter district tiebreaker win against Palmetto on Oct. 30. Four nights later, he ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-17 triumph against Tampa Catholic.

But until hooking up with Tyrone Keys, an MSU hall of famer and local philanthropist, Valenti said he was receiving overtures only from places such as Division III Union (N.Y.) College and DePauw (Ind.) University.

A former Chicago Bears defensive end, Keys is founder of All Sports Community Service, a non-profit organization headquartered next to Jesuit's campus that helps local youngsters get into college.

"(Keys) contacted my dad and my dad contacted him," said Valenti, who used to play football with Keys' son. "And I guess they started talking about it."

Valenti said Keys will accompany he and his father on this week's trip to Starkville. Valenti said MSU has indicated it wants to try him at safety, but the Times first-team all-county pick remains hopeful he can get a crack at tailback.

"If I like it I'm just going to stay and report," Valenti said. "But if not I think we're just going to go on down to Louisiana and take their offer."

Martinez to Memphis

Josh Martinez, who graduated from Countryside in May, is going to Memphis as a preferred walk-on.

One of the steadest kickers in the county, Martinez made 10 field goals last year, including three of more than 50 yards. He also was a starter on the soccer team that won state in 2005-06 and made it to the region finals last season.

Martinez was considering USF but decided on Memphis after visting the campus with his father, Dave, a former major-leaguer who played for the Devil Rays.

In addition, Clearwater Central Catholic's Gilbert Alderman signed with Div. II Gannon University in Eerie, Pa. Last year, Alderman recorded 61 tackles and had 17 passes defensed in his first season as a full-time starter.

-- BOB PUTNAM

Osenton Bound For Florida College

Newsome second baseman Ryan Osenton, the leadoff hitter for a Wolves team that reached last spring's Class 5A state tournament, has signed with Florida College, his dad announced.

A contact hitter, Osenton finished his senior season with a .374 batting average, second only to Central Florida signee Stephen Branca. His 40 hits tied Branca for the team lead.

Florida College, located in Temple Terrace, competes in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. 

Plant's 'Golden' Boy Keeps Shining

More than five weeks before his first regular season varsity start, Plant junior quarterback Aaron Murray already has proven he can perform among the nation's elite.

At least from an accuracy standpoint.

The heir to 2006 Florida Mr. Football Robert Marve, Murray finished the four-day EA Sports Elite 11 quarterback camp today with the most overall points in the event's "Golden Gun" accuray contest.

The accuracy challenge -- featuring the camp's 11 "elite" prep quarterbacks, some college signal-callers and other select campers such as Murray -- was staged each day at the conclusion of the camp, held in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Hawaii's Colt Brennan and Kentucky's Andre Woodson were among the participants.

Murray, who sustained a torn right labrum only 10 months ago, won the first day's contest, and finished with a four-day total of 58 points -- 11 better than the overall runner-up.

"I think his arm is back at the point now where it's stronger than it was before," said Panthers coach Bob Weiner, who joined Murray's family at the camp. "He just doesn't have the endurance at this point."

Murray, who led Plant to the title in a 24-team seven-on-seven tournament in Miami earlier this month, sustained his injury while playing defense in a game against Freedom last September. Weiner said a torn labrum typically requires a 15-month recovery period.

"This (camp) was good," said Weiner, adding Murray already has received three scholarship offers. "It kind of stretched him out a little bit, but not too much."

Lots of goings on here in Hernando. . .

Hernando is looking for a new boys basketball coach, and Nature Coast has found a new girls coach.

Nature Coast has hired assistant Travis Lamle to replace Jason Montgomery, who has assumed a position as the head women's basketball coach at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee.

“From day one I told them if I had the right college opportunity, I’d like to get back,” Montgomery said. “I always thought Volunteer State was one of the top two or three jobs in that league.”

Hernando, meanwhile, will look to replace Tony Vasquez, who resigned Wednesday after being arrested for indecent exposure (see blog post below).

The Times spoke with Hernando A.D. Marion Jones Wednesday afternoon. At the time Jones knew that Vasquez resigned, but wasn't aware that he had been arrested.

Jones, a former star at Hernando and a former middle school coach, said his taking over as coach was a possibility. We also spoke with former coach Jeff Laing, who resigned after six seasons. Laing said he didn't think he would end up returning as the school's coach.

As far as Nature Coast goes, leaving  was hard for Montgomery because of how much talent the Sharks are poised to return for the 2007-08season. In four seasons at Nature Coast, Montgomery led the Sharks to an 85-33 record, two district titles and three sweet 16 appearances.

While his teams were successful on the court, Montgomery weathered his share of controversy off the court. Recruiting allegations inspired the Florida High School Athletic Association to slap Nature Coast with three years of administrative probation and a $1,250 fine in 2006. Five hundred of those dollars were paid out of the girls basketball team’s budget.

At Volunteer State, Montgomery has eight players returning from a team that went 15-13 last year. He’s optimistic about his Tennessee squad, but equally positive about Nature Coast’s upcoming season, especially the hiring of Lamle.

Montgomery called Lamle one of the hardest workers he’s met in his life, and said that his assistant of three years was the logical choice to fill the position.

“From the athletics director standpoint, he was athletics director at Fox Chapel for quite some time,” Montgomery said. “He’s had experience. …From a basketball standpoint, he’s a logical choice because you have so much coming back on this team, and we have been so successful.”

--KELLIE DIXON AND DAVID MURPHY

kdixon@sptimes.com or dmurphy@sptimes.com

Blog from abroad

Former Boca Ciega standout Ben Pincus is playing in the Israel Baseball League, which is making its debut this season. Pincus will write the experience of playing overseas each week.

Well the Blue Sox have come back down to earth, and hard. We are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, two at the hands of the second-place Tel Aviv Lightning, who if you remember, I said we had begun a rivalry with. We are not pitching, we are not playing defense and we are not hitting. We are no longer doing everything we did well in the beginning of the season, and it is a tough time to be a member of Blue Sox Nation. Things are going to turn around. This is the time when teams decided if they are a championship caliber team. I feel that with the talent we have and the leadership in the dugout, this is nothing more than a bump in the road.  

That said, our manager has decided to make some changes. Our pitching rotation has changed somewhat and has left some of our bench players less than happy. I will not say there is unrest within our team, however, there are a few of my teammates whose ideas on the season have changed. I feel that these types of changes are necessary for the betterment of our team. That might seem a bit biased, though, as I am now getting legitimate time at first base. I love playing the field and hitting.   It is more fun than pitching. When I pitch I am serious, I overthink and I do not have the time to truly enjoy the game. Not that I am not concentrating or that I only play when I want, Randy Moss, but when you are doing the same thing as seven other guys it is less pressure and a nice change from the mindset I carry with me as a pitcher. It does not hurt that I can play the position really well and that my hitting is coming around as well.  

  This new role has had its share of negative effects as well. After having a knee and a shoulder surgery in consecutive seasons in college, thus leading to me not using my fifth year of eligibility, I had finally felt my body returning to normal.   Now, it is a different story, or is it the same old story? The waking up in the morning and having to wait 10-15 minutes to have full use of my left arm, the constant pain with every throw, fighting myself to not worry about it and just keep playing. I am not saying I am some kind of hero or comeback story, I am just a run-of-the-mill athlete who wants to play so badly that injury is never really a concern. If you have, or have ever had, that mentality, you know what I am talking about.

                This week we had Tuesday off for a Jewish holiday, Tisha B’av. This is considered, “the saddest day in Jewish history,” and that truly is saying something. The holiday commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples. Those two events occurred about 656 years apart, but on the same date.

Oldsmar Christian guard commits to North Fla.

Oldsmar Christian guard Jordan Fair spent last season in the shadows of playmaking seniors David Minaya and Leo Liriano, who both earned scholarships at Tennessee Tech.

Now Fair has found a Division I home of his own. Fair has orally committed to North Florida of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Ospreys finished 3-26 last season, their second since moving to D-I.

“They play an up-tempo style and I’m more of an up-tempo guard,” Fair said. “There’s a good playing-time situation, and I really liked the coaches.”

Fair averaged 12 points and five assists last season for the Eagles, who finished 15-10 and lost in the first round of the Class A region playoffs.

COMING UP: Check out Thursday's Times, which takes a look at some of Pinellas County's top Division-I recruits to watch this upcoming season...

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Riverview's McClain to FIU

Riverview senior Ashley McClain, the Sharks' top hitter and pitcher in 2007, has orally committed to Florida International University, her father said today.

McClain, who hit .489 and posted a 1.552 ERA in 67.2 innings for Riverview as a junior, also had been considering Central Florida, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State and Santa Fe Community College. She chose FIU, her dad said, because new Golden Panthers coach Beth McClendon will allow her to pitch, hit and play in the field.

"All the other schools wanted her to either be (A) a pitcher or (B) a hitter and outfielder," Aaron McClain said.

Hernando boys coach arrested for indecent exposure

Hernando boys basketball coach Antonio "Tony" Vasquez was arrested by Brooksville Police Tuesday night after he allegedly exposed himself to an undercover officer at McKethan Park in Brooksville.

Vasquez, 48, resigned as coach of the Leopards Wednesday morning, less than two months after accepting what he portrayed to be a dream job at his alma mater.

According to an arrest affadavit, Vasquez was at the park talking to an undercover officer when he told the officer that "sometimes people mess around inside the park, referring to conducting sexual acts." He then exposed himself to the officer.

A man who answered the phone at Vasquez's house referred a reporter to Vasquez's lawyer, Larry Disparti. Disparti said he was still "gathering information" about the incident.

Hernando athletic director Marion Jones said Vasquez resigned Wednesday morning, citing "personal reasons." Early Wednesday afternoon, Jones said he did not know about the arrest.

"He just gave (the resignation letter) to me and vacated," Jones said.

Reached at her office at Hernando High, principal Betty Harper declined to comment.

Vasquez's previous coaching job also ended in unsavory fashion when he was forced to resign after six years as the girls basketball coach at Pasco High. According to his personnel file, he was forced to take a six-week leave of absence and undergo anger counseling after two incidents in which he directed profanity at another school employee. In one instance, according to a written reprimand by superintendent Heather Fiorentino, he used insulting language in front of two students.

Vasquez said he underwent the required five anger-management sessions. He taught last year at Land O'Lakes High but did not coach.

When Hernando hired Vasquez to replace Jeff Laing on May 30, then-athletic director Brent Gaustad said the school was aware of the situation at Pasco, but that all of the coach's recommendations came back positive.

Vasquez was a schoolboy star for the Leopards from 1975-78, finishing his career with 1,073 points, which at the time was first in school history. That total has since been eclipsed by Jason Sartor with 1,437 points.

The events left Hernando scrambling.

Vasquez had told some players that he was resigning because of "health issues."

Jones, who coached middle school basketball before being hired as athletic director, said it was possible that he would take over the program.

Laing, who recently took a job at Challenger K-8, said he doubted he would be asked to return as coach.

FHSAA reduces St. Pete Catholic penalty

St. Petersburg Catholic will be allowed to hold a preseason football classic and spring jamboree, effective this season, according to a ruling made Wednesday by Florida High School Athletic Association commissioner John Stewart.

It's only the third time in Stewart's four years as commissioner that he's reduced a school's penalty following FHSAA rules violations.

In May 2006, the FHSAA levied SPC's football program with a three-year postseason ban and a $13,000 fine for three counts of recruiting and four counts of illegal practices. The school paid the fine, but appealed the restrictive probation (which included no jamborees and spring classics until 2009 season) to the FHSAA board of directors twice, getting denied both times.

But in the school's last appeal in May, the board told FHSAA commissioner John Stewart he could re-assess the Barons penalty after associate commissioner Sonny Hester made an on-campus visit to SPC.

Hester made the visit Monday, assessing the corrective actions SPC pledged they made. The Barons have a new football coach in Tod Creneti, replacing longtime coach Dan Mancuso, who resigned a week before the Oct. appeal. The school also has a new athletic director in John Gerdes, a longtime USF administrator, who is a 1980 SPC alum. Gerdes took over for Mancuso’s wife, Ann Marie, who was asked to step down as AD this spring by principal Father John Serio.

Hester said the one hour meeting Monday was “productive,” and said SPC “is heading in the right direction.” He met with Serio, Creneti and Gerdes before filing a report to Stewart. They talked about how the SPC staff will attend an FSHAA compliance seminar, and how Serio has interviewed all attempted transfer students this spring to verify whether they'd been approached by SPC sports staff.

“We have no control or say over personnel changes at the school,” Hester said Monday. “But at the same breath, the decisions that St. Pete Catholic made were showing good faith in wanting to go a different direction.”

Stewart agreed, writing in a letter to SPC on Wednesday that "due to the positive measures taken by SPC, and with the authority granted by the FHSAA Board of Directors, it is the determination of this office that a reductions of the sanction is in order."

Even though it is late notice for finding a pre-season classic opponent, Creneti said Wednesday that "given the opportunity, we should be able to work something out."

SPC may return to the FHSAA Board of Directors to make another appeal next year.

-- JOE SMITH
Joesmith@sptimes.com

Murray Makes Noise at Elite 11

Though it remains unclear whether new Plant quarterback Aaron Murray can perform before thousands on a Friday night, we do know he is capable of flourishing in front of the likes of Joe Montana.

With the four-time Super Bowl winner watching, the Panthers 6-foot-1 junior won the post-practice "Golden Gun" accuracy contest Monday at the prestigious EA Sports Elite 11 quarterback camp in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

The contest featured six different targets, with participants required to hit some while on the run. In addition to the 12 invited quarterbacks, the 24 participants included Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, Washington Redkins rookie Jordan Palmer (Carson's brother) and Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson.

"He killed the field," said Panthers coach Bob Weiner, who accompanied Murray to the four-day camp. "The next highest had 10 (points). Aaron was on fire; he had 16."

The victory earned Murray a "Golden Gun" T-shirt and new moniker -- "Mr. Golden Gun" -- from fellow campers. "That's what the other QBs were calling him," Weiner added.

Not too shabby for a guy who doesn't make his first career varsity start for another 5 1/2 weeks.

All-Sports Meeting at Jefferson

All potential Jefferson High student-athletes and their parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium

All students wishing to participate in football, cheerleading, volleyball, golf, swimming and cross country are encouraged to attend. Athletic participation forms and a notary public will be available. The coaching staff will be present, and information will be available concerning winter and spring sports.

For information, contact Athletic Director Bob Morgan at 813-872-5241, ext. 224.

ESPN Recognizes Armwood Duo

Of the nation's top 150 college football prospects from the Class of 2008, two attend Armwood High, according to ESPN.

Hawks left tackle Matt Patchan and tailback Eric Smith are the only two Bay area players on the ESPN 150 released on the network's Web site today. The list, compiled by Scouts Inc., features a nation-best 32 players from Florida. Texas has 24.

Patchan, a Freedom transfer and son of former University of Miami offensive lineman Matt Patchan Sr., is ranked No. 108. Smith, who missed most of the 2006 season with a fractured elbow, is No. 145.

Atop the list: Foley (Ala.) receiver Julius Jones, a 6-foot-4 speedster who had 1,500 receiving yards as a junior.

East Lake's Powell commits to Vanderbilt

East Lake senior tailback/defensive back Micah Powell orally committed to Vanderbilt Sunday on an unofficial visit to the Nashville campus.

Powell, a 6-foot, 190 pound standout, is expected to be one of the top returning running backs in Pinellas County this season. But he said Vanderbilt recruited him more as a strong/free safety. Powell also received an offer from Cincinnati.

“It’s football in the SEC- I’ll be playing with the big boys,” Powell said.  “It’s the best of the best.”

Powell is one of several Pinellas County rising seniors who will likely commit to Division I programs the next six months. Northeast QB/LB Armando Sanchez already committed to USF this offseason, with teammates Jeff Brinson (tailback) and Javonta Boyd (DL/TE) sifting through nearly a dozen offers each.

Then there's the Largo tandem of qb/db Leonard Johnson (several offers, including West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Purdue) and Times Player of the Year, running back Brynn Harvey (offer from West Virginia UCF). Boca Ciega quarterback/ATH Orhian Johnson has offers from Ohio State and USF, among others. Clearwater lineman Joe Marshall has offers from Wisconsin and Iowa State, among others.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

DiSalvatore named All-American.....again

GiOnna DiSalvatore found a pretty sweet surprise when she logged onto her computer in her UCLA dorm room Thursday night.

The former Countryside star shortstop earned a spot on EA SPORTS High School Softball All-American team for the second straight season. DiSalvatore joined one of her suitemates - and AAU and now UCLA teammates -- Donna Kerr (San Diego) on the first team.

The 1st team, selected by the editors of Student Sports, included just two players from Florida; the other was EA Sports National Player of the Year Kelsi Dunne (Spruce Creek).

"It means a lot," DiSalvatore said Friday. "Last year, I was second-team All-American. So I guess they saw I improved this year. This one was better."

DiSalvatore, the Times All-Suncoast Player of the Year, batted .506 with 34 RBI in leading the Cougars to the Class 6A state semifinals. The southpaw slugger was part of the US Junior National Team that won the Junior Women's World Championships in June in the Netherlands.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photo of GiOnna DiSalvatore by Douglas Clifford.

What next for 'Naughts? A TV contract?

It appears Lakeland High’s football program, winner of three consecutive state titles, is poised for its big-screen debut — literally. Installation is set to begin early next month on a $400,000 video scoreboard at Bryant Stadium, site of Dreadnaughts home games.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, the cost of the board -- which will feature a 15-by-20-foot video screen (click here for an animation on the team's Web site) -- and installation will be paid by the football booster club. In a deal reached with the Florida High School Athletic Association, replays during games may be shown only once and at full speed, the paper reported.

"The concern is that the use of replay, in many instances, will call the officials' judgment into question," said Denarvise Thornton, an FHSAA associate director of athletics.

Panteliodis To UF

Alonso senior left-hander Alex Panteliodis, the Times' pitcher of the year for Hillsborough County last season, confirmed tonight he has committed to the University of Florida.

"It was close to home and everything," said Panteliodis, pitching every fifth day with the Midland Redskins -- an Ohio-based elite travel team -- this summer.

"I think (new Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan) is awesome, he's a cool coach. ... He knows what it feels like to be a kid and everything. He likes to have fun."

The third Ravens player to commit to UF in the last year (joining infielder Chris Freshcorn and right-hander Tommy Toledo), Panteliodis is the least likely to ever throw a pitch in a Gators uniform.

His size (6-foot-2), velocity (90-91 mph) and command (11-0, 0.54 ERA as a junior) make him a certain high-round pick in next summer's big-league draft should he avoid a serious injury. Even Panteliodis acknowledged "there's a chance" he will bypass college altogether.

Panteliodis is the second county player to commit to UF this week, joining Plant infielder Preston Tucker. A Times all-county first-team pick last season, Tucker hit .561 with nine home runs and 51 RBIs for the Panthers.

St. Pete Catholic picks USF SID as new AD

John Gerdes, a USF assistant athletic director, has been named the new athletic director at St. Petersburg Catholic.

Gerdes, a 1980 SPC alum, spent the last 20 years in USF's sports information department, dealing with the media, as well as coaches and administrators. The 45-year-old was selected from a list of several candidates to replace Ann Marie Mancuso, who was asked to step down this spring.

"I'm just really excited about what a great high school it is," Gerdes said. "I have a solid understanding of the history at St. Pete Catholic, going back to even before I was there. Regardless of what problems they had in the last number of years, I know the people of that school and community. And we're going to be fine.

"The integrity is solid."

Last May, the FHSAA levied SPC's football program with a three-year postseason ban and a $13,000 fine for three counts of recruiting and four counts of illegal practices. They've appealed to the FHSAA board of directors twice, getting denied both times.

But in the school's last appeal in May, the board told FHSAA commissioner John Stewart he could re-assess the Barons penalty after associate commissioner Sonny Hester makes an on-campus visit to SPC.

That on-campus visit is scheduled for Monday, July 23rd, and Gerdes plans to be there.

Gerdes' last day at USF is August 3, which is 20 years to the date of when he started as USF SID in 1987.

Gerdes still has family in St. Pete, including his parents, and has several ties to SPC. His oldest son, Kyle, and nephew William will both be freshman at SPC next fall.

More details to follow. Check out the Times Friday for a full story.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Several questions remain for steroid program

Athletes who want to appeal a positive test from the state’s pilot steroid testing program may have to help foot the bill themselves.

The ramifications of House Bill 461, which will randomly test 1 percent of athletes in football, baseball and weightlifting, were discussed Monday with the selected testing agency, The National Center for Drug Free Sport.

Details of the program will be ironed out by the end of the month, but the penalties and appeals process have been tentatively agreed upon.

Here are some tid-bits. Check out the Times online tonight and paper tomorrow for more

**PENALTY - As previously reported by the Times in May, those athletes with positive tests will be suspended from practice and competition in all sports for 90 days, which begins the day the school is notified. There will be an exit test after the 60th school day, which, if negative, will reinstate the athlete immediately. If not, the suspension sticks.

**APPEALS -- Athletes testing positive have two appeal opportunities. They can appeal the suspension with Florida High School Athletic Association commissioner John Stewart, or if necessary, the board of directors. Or athletes can appeal the finding, and have their “B” sample tested.

**WHO PAYS? On the appeal test of the "B" sample, If found negative, suspension ceases and the FHSAA pays for the test. If positive, the athlete remains suspended, with the fee for the “B” sample test falling on the athlete’s family or school.

**HOW MANY TESTS? The FHSAA’s state-appropriated budget of $100,000 will enable around 570 athletes to be tested, at a yet-to-be-determined price -- estimated at about $175, FHSAA assistant communications director Robert Hernberger said.

**FEMALE'S TOO? Last week, the FHSAA announced flag football and softball will be tested because they are compatible with the male sports already written in the bill. But Hernberger said Wednesday that it’s still “up in the air” whether softball and flag football will be included.

“We have the responsibility to at least bring up the gender equity point for discussion,” Hernberger said. “If Rep. (Marcelo) Llorente or the attorney general don’t feel like that it’s necessary to proceed with those and wants to pull back and concentrate on (football, baseball and weightlifting), at least we brought it up.”

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Mallard Commits to UCF

For Jamie Mallard, it wasn’t one thing that made Central Florida feel right. It was several.

And that’s why the Middleton baseball standout committed to the Knights on Monday.

“One, it’s an up-an-coming program,” Mallard said. “Two, my parents want to watch me play. Being two hours away, they can do that. And also, there are a lot of kids from The Juice (his summer league team) that are going there.”

Mallard, a 6-foot, 260-pound first baseman, batted .411 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in helping lead the Tigers to a 21-7 record and district title last spring. He was a Times second-team all-county pick and co-MVP of his team.

Keith Niebuhr, Times correspondent

Marve Injured in Car Accident

Former Plant High quarterback Robert Marve was set to undergo surgery on his non-throwing hand this afternoon in Naples following a single-car accident early this morning on Interstate 75 in Collier County.

A University of Miami freshman, Marve was headed back to Coral Gables in his 2007 Dodge Charger with teammates Jermaine McKenzie and Colin McCarthy when it flipped on the interstate near mile marker 112. McKenzie was driving at the time.

According to Plant coach Bob Weiner, Marve sustained a fracture in his left hand, a dislocated left ring finger and facial abrasions. He was asleep in the right rear passenger seat at the time of the accident, but had his seatbelt on, Weiner said.

“He should come through (the surgery) okay,” said Weiner, with Marve at Naples Community Hospital. “The doctors looked at his hand and the X-rays and are pretty optimistic.”

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, McKenzie said he fell asleep at the wheel while heading southbound on I-75, but woke up when the vehicle veered to the left, entered the grass median and struck a guardrail. When he tried to steer right, he overcompensated and lost control.

The vehicle traveled across both southbound lanes, rotating clockwise before overturning to its left several times. McKenzie, a receiver from Bradenton Prep, was charged with careless driving. He and McCarthy — a sophomore who played at Clearwater Central Catholic — sustained minor injuries.

The reigning Florida Mr. Football, Marve led Plant to a 15-0 record and Class 4A state title last season, setting three state records in the process.

College For Toledo?

His negotiations with the San Diego Padres at a current standstill, former Alonso ace Tommy Toledo said today he “wouldn’t have any problems” honoring his scholarship to the University of Florida.

The Padres’ third-round pick in last month’s big league draft, Toledo still has a month to negotiate with the club, which so far hasn’t offered him enough money to sway him from UF. Clubs must sign all their draft choices — except college seniors — by Aug. 15.

“Everything’s been doing okay, we’re just waiting to see if we can get another offer,” said Toledo, named last season’s Saladino Award winner as Hillsborough County’s top senior player.  “But if it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen.”

Toledo’s dad, Pete, was less diplomatic, saying the Padres’ current offer “is not enough to jeopardize our son’s schooling.” The average signing bonus for the draft’s 117th pick — the slot in which Toledo was drafted — over the last four years is $225,000.

Obtaining a higher figure, however, seems unlikely at a time when Major League Baseball is attempting to drive signing bonuses down. Should he opt for school, Toledo's roommate would be ex-Alonso teammate Chris Freshcorn, recently signed by the Gators.

Blog from abroad

Former Boca Ciega standout Ben Pincus is playing in the Israel Baseball League, which is making its debut this season. Pincus will write about the experience of playing baseball overseas each week. Here is an excerpt. For the rest, check out blogs.tampabay.com/preps/.

Through nine games of my first season of professional baseball season my team has lost exactly zero games. I have pitched well but have two no decisions, mostly because we have this thing about late inning comebacks. We have come from behind six times, two in the last inning, including a ten-run final frame.

It is nice to be on a team like this. Ron Blomberg, our coach and the game’s first ever designated hitter, is the kind of manager perfect for this team. He is a character on a team full of characters. He calls everyone "big guy" at least ten times a game. I think he believes our team name is the Bet Shemesh Big Guys. We have guys from Australia, Canada, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. We barely know each other, we all come from different backgrounds and yet somehow we have come together, early in the season, and have played "perfect" baseball. Any athlete knows that it will not always be like this, but for now, life is very good.

To read more, click this link.

TGIF? Hardly

Enjoy some garlic knots with that pregame meal, slip a rabbit’s foot into your equipment bag and, by all means, don’t step on a crack or base line. Friday, of course, happens to fall on the 13th. Don’t believe there’s any correlation between the year’s unluckiest day and sports? Well, consider the fact Jason — the grisly antagonist of Friday the 13th and its umpteen sequels — wore a hockey mask. In accordance with the calendar, we’ve selected 13 of the area’s most hard-luck teams and athletes in recent memory. Take this list with a grain of salt — tossed over the left shoulder, of course:

Newsome baseball, 2007
The Wolves were four outs from a shutout of Port St. Lucie in the Class 5A semifinals when momentum made a seismic shift. With two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, pinch-hitter Max Scarogni — he of the .111 average — outran an infield dribbler for a hit. The ensuing throw to first went to the fence, allowing two runs to score. A mishandled line drive, triple and two doubles later, Port St. Lucie led 7-2. The score stood up.

Mike Williams, former Plant receiver
After two years at Southern California, Williams hired an agent and unsuccessfully challenged the NFL rule requiring players to be three years out of high school before being draft-eligible. During his yearlong hiatus from football (in 2004), the Trojans won another national title. Williams ultimately was drafted by the Lions in the first round of the ‘05 draft, but has only 37 catches in two NFL seasons.

Chris Jones, Gaither pitcher, 2007
A day before his scheduled start at Sarasota in the Class 6A playoffs, Jones sustained a torn ligament in his right ankle during a physical education class. Wearing a black protective boot, the 6-foot-2 left-hander, who would be drafted a month later by the Cleveland Indians in the 15th round, watched the Cowboys fall to the eventual state champs, 10-2.

Bloomingdale football
The least fortunate football program in Hillsborough County enters its 21st season still in search of its first winning season. If you’ve got a logical explanation for the Bulls’ futility, please let us know.

Hunter Clasen, Jesuit track, 2007
The 2006 Class 2A champion in the 400 meters suffered a strained hip flexor at this past spring’s Region 3 meet and was unable to defend his title. That scholarship to Georgia Tech, however, sure shapes up as a nice consolation prize.

Middleton football, 2007
The Tigers caught no breaks from the mysterious forces that compile the county’s annual football schedule. Middleton faces Chamberlain, Plant and Hillsborough on consecutive Fridays in September, and closes the regular season against Armwood and Jefferson.

Jesuit baseball, 1995
Twelve years later, ex-Tigers coach John Crumbley still scowls at the mention of the loss to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 5A final. Jesuit was denied a second consecutive state title when reliever Ronnie Merrill was charged with a two-out, eighth-inning balk, allowing the winning run to score from third.

Tampa Prep boys basketball
The Terrapins’ state tournament exits have gone like clockwork or, better yet, sockwork. Four times since 1997, Tampa Prep has faced Port St. Joe — known for its knee-high, purple- and gold-striped socks — in the state tournament. All four times, the Terps have fallen.

Lovell Jackson, Plant track, 2007
This past spring, the Panthers’ star dash man had his state title aspirations, well, dashed. A Class 3A region qualifier, Jackson was disqualified from the meet when it was ruled he arrived late to one of his four events. Don’t get Panthers coach Shawn Balow started on this.

Geoff Goetz, former Jesuit pitcher
Goetz has found success after baseball (in the pharmaceuticals industry and as Tigers pitching coach), but probably never dreamed he’d have to look for it so soon. The sixth overall pick in the 1997 big-league draft, Goetz hasn’t been the same since 2002 shoulder surgery. A lean lefty with a dominant fastball and curve in high school, he never reached the majors and hasn’t pitched for a major league organization since 2004.

Sam Militello, University of Tampa pitching coach                                                                        The brilliance Militello has exuded with the Spartans staff belies the baffling downward spiral his own career took nearly two decades ago. A former star prospect with the Yankees, Militello had a cup of coffee in the big leagues before experiencing horrific control problems observers said were far more psychological than mechanical. By age 24, he was out of baseball.

USF women's basketball, 2007                                                                                                         A 20-win season and top-35 RPI figure wasn't enough to sell the NCAA Tournament committee on the Bulls, who were denied entry to the big dance. "A lot of people would be excited about going to the NIT and playing in a postseason tournament," Coach Jose Fernandez said. "I'm not."

Maggie Daly, Plant cross country                                                                                                     A top-10 state placer in 2005, Daly's aspirations for a championship senior year were thwarted by a recurrence of mononucleosis. By seasons' end, Daly was too weak to compete in region or state competition.

Josh Walker named Osceola hoops coach

Josh Walker has been named the new Osceola boys basketball coach.

Walker, a former Seminole standout, spent the past five seasons coaching at Dunedin - the last two at varsity (17-32). He stepped down at the end of the season for “personal reasons,” but was quickly picked up by Osceola, which hired him as a match teacher.

Walker replaces Wil Vaughn, who resigned this spring to take a government job in Virginia, Osceola assistant principal Brad Finkbiner said. The Warriors went 2-22 last season.

“We hired a solid math teach who happens to be a solid basketball coach,” Finkbiner said. “It’s a great two-for-one deal.”

Finkbiner said the school is currently trying to fill vacancies for swimming, wrestling and tennis.

--- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

I saw Schenk's redemption?

Okay, bad headline. I tried.

River Ridge has hired it's old wrestling coach, Russ Schenk, as it's new wrestling coach.

Technically, it'll be Schenk's third go-around with River Ridge, having resigned in March of 1997 only to
have a change of heart to return a few months later in June and then to leave again a year later for his alma mater at Tarpon Springs.

At Tarpon, Schenk turned a moribund program around, in three short years guiding the Spongers to its first undefeated season, first district title and first regional title.

A former state champ at Tarpon and an All-American at Central Florida who tried out for the Olympics in 1984, '88 and '92, Schenk was recently as finalist for the Countryside job, who like River Ridge went with a former coach in choosing Dave Frayer.

Schenk was 60-29 in his first go-around at River Ridge, including a fifth-place state finish in 1995. He will replace Robert Pecori, who lasted just one year.

Steroid testing to include softball, flag football

To comply with gender equity, the new high school steroid testing program passed by the state legislature in May will now also include softball and flag football, FHSAA commissioner John Stewart told the Times Monday.

Stewart said the decision was made after a meeting Friday with Rep. Marcelo Llorente, a Miami Republican who pushed steriod testing for four years and spearheaded the recently signed House Bill 461.

The Bill called for random testing of up to one percent of all athletes in three sports: football, baseball and weightlifting. According to data collected by the Florida High School Athletic Association, 94 percent of athletes who participated in those sports during the 2005-06 school year were boys. A 2005 survey conducted by the Center for Disease control estimated that 2.8 percent of high school girls in the state had tried illegal steroid pills or injections at least once in their lives.

That made some administrators and coaches, along with legal experts, wonder why the high school steroid- testing program targeted only athletes in predominantly male sports.

Stewart said the female sports to be tested - softball and flag football -- were chosen because they were the counterparts to the male sports already written in the bill.

"For gender equity, you have to test both boys and girls," Stewart said. "That's what we're going to do."

Stewart also said the testing agency the state plans to use is The National Center for Drug Free Sport, which is the official administrator for drug testing in the NCAA.

Stewart said he will meet Monday, July 16 with some officials from the Missouri-based agency to further discuss how the steroid testing policy will be implemented. But Stewart said he envisions a system where a computer will randomly select the 1% to be tested, and then an agent will go to the school to collect the sample before bringing it back to the lab.

--- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

His future is bright

Former East Lake standout Chris Coghlan is playing in Sunday's Future Game in San Francisco. Coghlan played at Ole Miss and was a supplemental first-round pick of the Marlins last season. He is with the Marlins' low Class A affiliate in Greensboro this year. The Futures Game pits the top minor league players born in the U.S. against the top minor league players born around the world. The game is played the Sunday before the MLB all-star game.

-- BOB PUTNAM

Summer hoops notes

There were plenty of interesting sightings at the Eckerd College summer league Saturday afternoon.

The 28-team high school tournament featured many county teams, including Largo, Boca Ciega, Lakewood, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs.

But it surely wasn't the same old song.

For the first time this century, an O'Donnell wasn't leading Largo at point guard. Recent grad Ben O'Donnell (FSU walk-on) and older brother Mike (UCF) stirred the Packers drink the past eight years - but no more. With Largo graduating their five starters, there were plenty of fresh faces in their loss to St. Pete

Speaking of fresh faces in new places, rising junior swingman Shamon Cox looked pretty comfortable in his new Lakewood jersey. The former St Pete star hit the game-tying shot in the final minute vs Vero Beach, then added a late offensive rebound to seal the deal - and the No. 1 seed -- Sunday in the final rounds.

The Spartans - without their star-studded backcourt of graduated Ed Nixon (Player of Year now at VCU) and Anthony Dorsey (Odessa CC) - weren't their typical sharp self, but there was a reason. Four of their players - including new transfer James Pope (an athletic 6-3 swingman from Eastside), were in Lakeland with the Under-17 Largo Magic. The Magic won the YBOA national title Saturday, which means the Spartans quartet may be back for Sunday's winners bracket.

That winners bracket also includes Pinellas Park - the No. 3 seed. The upstart Patriots followed up their 19-win season from a year ago by upping their summer schedule, playing around 90 games all over the place. They look good, with big man Jake Troyli playing well in the middle, and guards Cam and Cory Carden helping run the offense.

The Patriots held on to beat Boca Ciega on Saturday; the Pirates will be a solid team this year, with Orhian Johnson and junior to be Julius Forte in the middle.

YOUR TAKE: Who will be the top 5 teams in the county next yr?

For more, including Sunday's summer league schedule at Eckerd (admission is free)....click here

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photo of Pinellas Park forward Jake Troyli trying to block a shot by Boca Ciega's Orhian Johnson at last year's Hooters Tournament. Photo by Lara Cerri

Greetings from Israel.

Former Boca Ciega standout Ben Pincus writes about experience playing in the Israel Baseball League each week.

“Go, Ben! Go, Devil Rays,” was the cheer from the little boy sitting down the rightfield line wearing his yarmulke. This is an odd thing to hear considering one, I do not play for the Devil Rays, and two we are playing on a field in the middle of the desert 5,000 miles away from Tropicana Field. These were just some of my thoughts as we arrived at Gezer Field in Bet Shemesh for my first game as a professional baseball player.
In many ways it was just like before. The nerves, the anticipation, the constant talking to myself with my glove in front of my face. However, this was much different than my baseball experience in the past five years.
Nothing hurt, ached or throbbed. I was not nervous something on my body was going detach itself from its point of origin. I was excited and concentrated on nothing but making my first professional start a good one. Well, that and the displaced Devil Rays fan.

For the rest, click on the link below.

Largo's Hale latches on with Suns summer league

Former Largo and FSU star forward Ron Hale is giving his NBA dreams another crack starting Monday, as he's been chosen to play for the Phoenix Suns' summer league team in Las Vegas.

The five-game league, which runs today through July 15, pits draft picks, undrafted rookies and other hopefuls at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion and the Thomas & Mack Center.

Hale, 29, was undrafted out of FSU in 2000, then spent a few years playing professionally in Japan. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound said his club there is actually trying to get him to re-sign.

But Hale told the officials there that he wanted this opportunity to audition for the NBA -- perhaps for the last time.

“I’m not getting any younger,’’ he said. “I feel good, physically and mentally. I want to let it hang out and see what happens. I just want to go out and show all the teams there what I’m capable of. My wife and my kids are tired of me going overseas every year. I’m going out there with them in mind.’’

The Suns first game is Monday, July 9 against the Cavs at 4:30 (eastern standard time), and is televised live webcast at www.nba.com

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

AP photo of Ron Hale, playing for FSU in 1997 NIT.

Ex-Titans Star Signs With HCC

Devin Smith, a standout basketball player at Tampa Bay Tech last winter, has signed a letter of intent with Hillsborough Community College.

The 6-foot-5 Smith, who plays shooting guard and small forward, averaged 22 points and 8 rebounds as a senior. He was a Times all-county honorable mention selection.

“He’s very long and rangy,” TBT coach Adrian Johnson said. “He has tremendous skills and can flat-out shoot the basketball. His ability is unlimited. It’s just a matter of him applying himself and getting it done.”

Johnson said he thinks Smith will one day play for a Division I program. In that regard, attending HCC could work to Smith’s advantage. The program has placed several players in four-year programs in recent years, including forward Othello Hunter, currently at Ohio State.

Keith Niebuhr, Times correspondent

Griffith Signs With Sox

Former Middleton ace right-hander Nevin Griffith confirmed today he has signed with the Chicago White Sox after a drawn-out series of negotiations.

The 89th overall pick in last month's Major League Baseball first-year player draft, Griffith said he signed with the club Tuesday for a signing bonus of $382,000. The average bonus for the previous three signees taken with the 89th pick was $381,333, according to Baseball America.

"I was happy with that," Griffith said today while de-boarding a plane in Bristol, Va., site of the White Sox' rookie-league team. "It means that now I can finally start working toward my goal of making it to the big leagues."

Griffith's signing came a day after ex-Hillsborough outfielder Michael Burgess signed with the Nationals for a reported $630,000 bonus. Burgess and Griffith were the top two local players drafted.

Maybe Schlereth isn't quite off the hook

When Countryside principal Gary Schlereth was investigated for  harrassing  Cougar baseball coaches about benching his son, Nick Grasso -- the county athletic director and conducter of said investigation -- wrote “I cannot conclude that, in fact, the principal abused his authority to influence playing time for his son.”

Uh, well, maybe Grasso can't. But apparently, somebody else is gonna give it a second look.

According to Demorris Lee's story in today's Times, the investigation is being re-opened after complaints from coaches (and I'd like to think some of the statements from our fine readers in the comments section) that the original investigation didn't look at the "whole picture.''

Several of the coaches interviewed during the investigation took issue with how the investigation was conducted and called it a "whitewash." Dan Witowski, Jeff Ciszkowski and D.J. Coles met with School Board member Jane Gallucci last week.

"We want a truthful, unbiased investigation as to the principal's behavior," said Witowski, a former coach. "Is it unethical and a violation to do what he did? ... He's saying that we are all liars and the facts don't support that."

In the testimony given in the first investigation, former coaches indicated that they felt pressure to play Nick Schlereth, even though he had a dismal batting average.

"When you read (Gary) Schlereth's statement and you have five other people giving the 180-degree opposite, how can you come to the conclusion that he's telling the truth and we are not?", Witowski said.

Burgess Signs With Nationals

Former Hillsborough center fielder Michael Burgess signed tonight with the Washington Nationals, 25 days after the club drafted him with the 49th overall pick in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

Terms weren't immediately disclosed, but the average signing bonus for the draft's 49th pick over the last four years is $645,000.

"We're just thrilled to get him," said Nationals area scout Paul Tinnell, who joined several of Burgess' friends and relatives at the signing. "We've gotten to know Mike pretty well."

Burgess, named the Aflac National High School Player of the Year following his junior season, reports Wednesday to the  Nationals' rookie-league affiliate in Melbourne.