Sunday, August 1, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Pocono Raceway: Rain A Likely Deterrent

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 11:10 AM PDT

pocono raceway

pocono raceway

The Ponoco Raceway where the Pennsylvania 500 is scheduled to start, may run into trouble due to an overcast sky. Experts are estimating a 50% chance of there being a rainfall. The skies had opened up earlier & the track had to be dried. There's no knowing if the rains may pay a visit again.

When the race starts on Ponoco raceway, Juan Pablo Montoya will start next to Tony Stewart. Earlier when the raceway had held the NASCAR race, the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 was won by Denny Hamlin who is currently in 3rd position. His 4/5 win rate may enthuse him to make a run for the 2nd stand.

Safety precautions loom large as another concern in Ponoco Raceway. The weird triangular shape of the raceway makes it difficult for the drivers to navigate their way thus making it a fatal affair. However 2011 will see safety barriers being used in the Ponoco Raceway to help prevent accidents. But as of now, the Pennsylvania 500 will have to make do without the add-ons.

This is just the 2nd race this year in Ponoco Raceway while next year the raceway will be hosting 2 NASCAR races complete with the safety precautions. Hopefully the rains will show mercy & the Pennsylvania 500 will start off on schedule in the Ponoco Raceway.

Guangzhou Takes The Lead, As India Grapples With CWG Glitches

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT

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AHN News Staff

Guangzhou, China (AHN) – The government in New Delhi might be struggling to meet construction deadlines for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled in October this year, but the Chinese city of Guangzhou, which will host the quadrennial Asian Games a month later, has announced its venues are ready to welcome athletes and officials from across the continent.

Guangzhou will host the 16th edition of the Asian Games from November 12-27, which will make it the second city in the country to host a major sporting spectacle in two years. Beijing had hosted the Olympic Games in 2008 and also organized the Asiad in 1990.

A Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee official not wishing to be quoted said more than 14,000 sportspersons, coaches and trainers from 45 countries would be in the city to compete in 476 events in 42 disciplines.

“All 53 competition venues and 17 training venues available for the Games are ready. These include the Asian Games Town, which consists of the Athletes’ Village, Technical Officials Village, Media Village, Main Media Center and International Broadcast Center,” the official was quoted as saying.

In stark contrast, only two Commonwealth Games venues in Delhi — the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will also host the opening and closing ceremonies, and the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium — are said to have become fully operational. Other venues, are still struggling to meet completion deadlines.

Guangzhou has also successfully hosted a number of test events, titled ‘Vigorous Guangzhou’, while a majority of test events in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games have fallen flat because of glitches on all fronts.

Guangzhou will also organize the Asian Para Games from December 12-19, where more than 3,000 differentially-abled athletes from 41 Asian countries will compete in 19 disciplines.

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Former Astros Pitcher Oswalt Mediocre In Phils Debut

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Newly-acquired Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Oswalt made a much awaited debut Friday at National Park, wherein he surrendered five runs in an 8-1 loss to the Nationals.

Oswalt, 32, did not perform like the pitcher the Phillies wanted before July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, as he allowed seven hits, five runs and two walks in six innings.

Oswalt, three-time all-star, completed the blockbuster trade Thursday morning after waiving his no-trade clause with the Astros.

The Phillies, who dropped to 3 1-2 games behind the NL East leader Atlanta Braves after Friday’s night loss, shipped left-hander J.A. Happ and two Minor League prospects to the Astros in exchange for the veteran hurler.

Oswalt admitted he struggled on the mound, 17 hours before the Phillies officially announced in Washington.

“I came out early a little amped up, holding the ball a little bit tight,” Oswalt told MLB.com Friday. “Didn’t really start feeling better until the last two innings actually.”

Oswalt, who fell to 6-13 with a 3.53 ERA and 124 strikeouts this season, is scheduled to start Thursday against the Florida Marlins.

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Tebow Looks To Be `Hit` In Broncos Camp

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Denver, CO, United States (AHN) – Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow unraveled his mental toughness in the first day of training camp, claiming he’s prepared to taste the nastiest tackles this summer.

Tebow, the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Entry draft, said he won’t back down from the league’s physical nature.

“It may be a negative of mine, but I look forward to that,” Tebow told NFL Fanhouse Friday. “It’ll be fun when Sunday gets here and everybody is hitting out here. I’ll get excited, too.”

Broncos football coach Josh McDaniels considered Tebow’s comments as part of the competitiveness his young quarterback brings to the table.

Although teams impose protective measures on their quarterbacks during training camp, Tebow’s statement show his tenacity as a football player.

Tebow, who agreed to a five-year, $11.25 million deal with a high-reward incentive scheme, is expected to play behind projected starter Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn next season.

However, with Tebow’s versatility, McDaniels believed that he could formulate a play for Tebow in special situations.

“I haven’t ever used more than one quarterback in the NFL,” McDaniels told NFL Fanhouse.”I don’t think that’s something that can’t be done. Certainly, people have speculated about it.

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Stewart On Pole At Pocono; Fourth Time At Venue

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Long Pond, PA, United States (AHN) – Currently on a hot streak but without a win, Tony Stewart won his fourth Pocono pole Friday for Sunday’s Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500.

The two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion turned a lap of 171.393 mph to edge Juan Montoya for Sunday’s top starting spot.

“I’m not a qualifier, I admit, that has always been my weak suit. Man, if you’re going to pick a place where you want to have good track position, this is it because it’s really important here at Pocono,” said Stewart. “If I don’t go out like I did last year and crash the thing in happy hour then we’ll have a good starting spot.”

Stewart got both Pocono poles last year via rainout rules and won one of them.

Denny Hamlin, who won here earlier this year in June, qualified third and was followed by Jeff Gordon (170.222 mph) and Ryan Newman.

David Stremme and Max Papis were the only two drivers who failed to qualify for the 43-car field.

“Still not there. The time might look okay, but we still have some work to do. The most encouraging thing is that as bad as this thing is handling right now, we got some speed out of it,” said Hamlin. “That’s opposite of where we usually are. I have no doubt that tomorrow we’re going to fine tune this thing.”

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Pats` Brady Says Contract Issue Won`t Affect His Play

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Foxborough, MA, United States (AHN) – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady demonstrated his professionalism Friday, arriving for the first day of training camp despite his pending contract issues with the team.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick lauded the attitude of his prized quarterback, as Brady put his contract issues aside to participate in the team’s training camp in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Brady’s decision to be at camp was seen as a positive approach after Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins decided to hold out from training due to another contract impasse with the Patriots.

Brady, who will earn $6.5 million in the final year of his current contract, said he wanted to play the game he loves.

The former NFL MVP added he remains optimistic an extension would be done soon, allowing him to play the remainder of his career with the Patriots.

Brady said athletes are “spoiled” about earning more money, and that was before Sam Bradford received a record $50 million pact from the Rams late Friday.

Brady, who will turn 32 in August, expressed his gratitude to coach Belichick and the entire Patriots organization for their support since his NFL debut in 2000.

“I’ve always been privileged to play for coach Belichick who I’ve always said is the best coach in the history of the league,” Brady told projo.com Friday “Mr. [Robert] Kraft, I have a great relationship with him. I’m not in to playing games I just want to come out here and do the best I can do.

Brady said he treats every season as an opportunity to excel on the field and contribute to the success of the team.

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Yani Tseng In Control At British Open; Forges Four-Shot Lead

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Southport, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – Yani Tseng has made virtually no mistakes in three days at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

She looked unbeatable Saturday during the third round of the women’s British Open.

The 22-year-old from Taiwanese star clicked off 12 straight pars, then added birdies at the 13th and 15th holes and closed out a near-perfect day with a 15-foot putt for eagle at 18.

She shot 68 for the third day in a row and stands at 12-under par, 204. She will take a four shot lead into the final round over Australia’s Katherine Hull, who birdied her final five holes for 66 and a 208 total.

Their play made it a virtual two-woman contest for the final round. In-Kyung Kim is six shots back of Tseng at 210 and American Brittany Lincicome seven back at 211.

Tseng has made only one bogey in 54 holes at Birkdale, a difficult test and the conditions have been windy.

“I feel very, very good,” Tseng said after she holed her eagle putt on the final hole. She should. She hit 16 greens on the day and was never close to any trouble. “I think tomorrow (Sunday) will be better,” she predicted.

And that’s bad news for the rest of the field.

Hull will play with Tseng and will need a repeat of her third round to have a chance.

“It was fun to do. It’s nice to have three par fives over the last four holes,” said the long-hitting Hull. “The birdies are out there if you’re hitting it well.”

Tseng was hitting it well all day. She was accurate with her tee shots and even better with her iron play. She missed some birdie putts that could have made it a runaway.

But her consistency has eliminated most of the field with Hull in need of a low final round.

Morgan Pressel had the day’s best round, a 65. She went low despite a bogey-bogey start.

“I just made a lot of putts today and I put myself right back in the hunt,” Pressel said before Tseng finished.

She didn’t realize she’d end up nine shots off the lead and a lot farther from the hunt than she figured.

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Tseng Dodges Rain, Takes Four Shot Lead At Women`s British

Posted: 31 Jul 2010 07:13 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Southport, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – Yani Tseng admitted she was lucky.

She is the leader at the women’s British Open Championship after a second straight 68 at Royal Birkdale, an 8-under 136 total and the good fortune to miss the afternoon rains.

“It was really lucky,” she said after her round. “This morning there was no wind, very calm. The course is totally different than what we played yesterday. So it was just really nice.”

Her back-to-back 68s put her four ahead of LPGA champ Cristie Kerr, who shot the low round of the tournament, a 5-under par 67 that got her in the hunt.

She was tied at 140, 4-under after 36 holes, with Brittany Lincicome (69-71) and Amy Yang (69-71).

“I was determined to be more relaxed out there,” Kerr said, as she finished right before the rains. “I played really, really well. I finished just before the rain. With no wind when we started, I said I gotta take advantage of these conditions.”

She did, getting off to a great start with birdies on the first two holes and went out in 34.

Her only bogey came at the par four eighth. She put together a marvelous nine coming home with four birdies and a 33 total.

Suzann Pettersen was another fortunate morning player. She shot a 4-under par 68 and is five shots back of Tseng at 141. She’s tied with American veteran Julie Inkster (71-70) and Sun Young Yoo (69-72).

Jiyai Shin, the world’s top-ranked woman, was in at two-under, 142 after a second straight 71.

Although Tseng has a nice lead, Kerr was confident going into the weekend. “It’s hard to run away with a tournament,” she pointed out.

As for Tseng, she was happy to be where she is. “Actually, I never had a lead in a major,” said the two-time major champion.

Her weekend game plan?

“Stay very patient.”

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Bruins Ink Wheeler; Winger Gets One-Year, $2.2M Pact

Posted: 31 Jul 2010 07:13 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – The Boston Bruins accepted winger Blake Wheeler’s arbitration award for one-year worth $2.2 million, it was reported Thursday night.

“It is never a pleasant experience for either side to go to arbitration,” general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a presser Friday.

“However, as a manager, you know that the player will be under contract for the following year either way. We talked to Blake before and after the hearing and we are satisfied to have a good, young player under contract for another year.”

Wheeler, 24, told the media via phone Friday that he’s was getting anxious.

“Having the arbitration rights, it puts you in a position where at some point you know it’s going to come to a head,” he said. “So for me, I was getting a little anxious about getting something done because the last thing I want is to have that in limbo.”

Wheeler said Chiarelli was very professional in handling the matter, making the arbitration run smoother, better than he expected.

“Nothing was said in the room that I didn’t already know myself,” Wheeler added. “There were no low blows or anything like that taken by either side. It was handled extremely well. When the hearing was over, I felt great about it. I was really happy to be through that process.”

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CVC Claims Corruption In Commonwealth Games Projects

Posted: 31 Jul 2010 07:13 PM PDT

AHN News Staff

New Delhi, India (AHN) – A report from an Indian anti-corruption body has raised eyebrows and once again put a big question mark on preparations for the Commonwealth Games slated to take place in New Delhi this October.

The chief technical officers of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), after visiting 15 games venues around the national capital, have brought into focus a number of irregularities and corrupt practices by contractors and government organizations entrusted with the task of completing the construction work before the deadline.

The officials have voiced concerns over the substandard materials used to build the stadiums and other games sites ahead of the opening of the Commonwealth Games on October 3. New Delhi has failed to meet construction deadlines and whatever work has been done, has been done in haste. v”Almost all organizations executing works … have considered inadmissible factors to jack up the reasonable price,” said a statement on the CVC website. “We have found corruption and other procedural irregularities in many Games-related construction projects,” the statement further added.

Meanwhile, sources claimed that more skeletons are likely to come out of the cupboard, as the corruption has already reached 200 million rupees ($4.3 million) in the projects relating to development of stadiums as well as Games-related flyovers.

Recently, the ceiling at the Commonwealth Games swimming pool fell after Delhi witnessed a heavy downpour. It may be noted that the venue was inaugurated a couple of days back. The negative reports relating to CWG preparations and corrupt practices have mounted pressure on Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee. “It’s not my business, construction of the venue etcetera is not my business at all and most of the things in the report are about construction,” he said while addressing a press conference.

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