WASHINGTON The Washington Nationals wore Virginia Tech baseball caps during Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves as a tribute to the victims of the shooting rampage at the school. "It was an honor to wear that hat," Washington center fielder Ryan Church said after his team's 6-4 loss. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families." Nationals players wore a few .

Minor league baseball season started this week for the Kane County Cougars, who host their first night game today against the Beloit (Wis.) Snappers.

Zach Pettis wanted some revenge. With Joe Laskoski on first base and two outs in the bottom of the ninth of a 10-10 ballgame, Pettis was looking for a fastball from Chambersburg relief pitcher Trevor Appleby.

WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals wore Virginia Tech baseball caps during Tuesday night's 6-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves as a tribute to the victims of the shooting rampage at the school. "It was an honor to wear that hat," Washington center fielder Ryan Church said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families." Left fielder Chris Snelling's cap will be sent to the Hall .

Batavia Sun - And back after a season-long absence is the video-screen version of the old carnival shell game, with fans having to guess under which spinning baseball hat the ball is hiding. On Sunday, May 27, the Cougars host their first family campout, where .

San Diego Union-Tribune - Number of perfect games in baseball history. Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle came within one walk of perfection in . Urlacher was fined for drinking vitaminwater and wearing a vitaminwater hat during the media session in Miami leading to .

San Jose Mercury News - We've got the NHL playoffs at full throttle, the NBA playoffs set and the baseball season heating up. So, naturally, it's time to talk football! Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for a hat advertising vitaminwater at Super Bowl media day. (Gatorade .

_ Ichiro Suzuki snapped out of a mini early season slump and Kenji Jojima remained in form Sunday as the Japanese combined for seven hits and three RBIs to help the Seattle Mariners overpower the Texas Rangers 14-6.

Miguel Batista rebounded from his poor debut, pitching into the seventh inning of Seattle's 8-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Sammy Sosa is finally back in the town from which he made an ignominious exit. Sosa returns to Chicago for the first time in 2 1/2 years Tuesday night when the Texas Rangers visit the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game set. .

SEATTLE (AP) - Jose Vidro homered into the right field seats in his first two at-bats, and Ichiro Suzuki had four hits in the Seattle Mariners' 14-6 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

The bushy hair and matching goatee look the same. But the Eric Gagne who was getting ready for his first game with the Texas Rangers on Friday night was definitely not the same powerhouse closer who dominated the National League from 2002-04.

FOXSports.com - Sosa returns to Chicago for the first time in 2 1/2 years Tuesday night when the Texas Rangers visit the White Sox in the opener . The 38-year-old Sosa has also endured scrutiny over the steroids controversy in baseball since leaving Chicago, and .

Fox 19 - . was snowed out and their next series was moved to the retractable-dome stadium in Milwaukee because of the bad baseball . The Texas Rangers activated closer Eric Gagne (GAHN'-yay) from the disabled list. The veteran right-hander made three .

www.twinscards.com Overview: If you're yearning to see a long, lost Twins baseball card, program cover, autograph or some other piece of Twins history, chances are you'll find it at this exhaustive site, which boasts more than 17,000 pages. Three questions with the proprietor: Blake Meyer, 40, is originally from Rochester but is stationed in the United Kingdom with the U.S. Air Force. He was kind .

NorthJersey.com - National business briefs NEW YORK -- The Topps Co., maker of baseball cards and Bazooka bubble gum, said Tuesday it accepted a $385.4 . campaign to highlight what it considers abusive and predatory lending practices in the banking, credit-card and .

A still-perfect 1952 Mickey Mantle card distributed by Topps Co. recently brought $282,588 at auction.

4X4 THE BEST TIMES TO BE A SPORTS FAN Early April Early September Early January Mid-October The key elements NCAA Final Four(s), MLB opener and the Masters -- a pretty powerful combo.

Imagine big league baseball with no black ballplayers. No Hank Aaron, no Willie Mays, no Barry Bonds, no Bob Gibson. Imagine how different the record book would look. That is baseball's debt to Jackie Robinson. But imagine what would have happened if Jackie had failed.

Brandweek - . April issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids and well as in game programs of all 30 Major League Baseball teams. Support includes Internet, POP at card . The number of companies producing trading cards, once about 80, is down to Upper Deck and Topps, New .

Canton Repository - A "tobacco" card inserted into a cigarette package - which predated the more familiar Topps, Fleers, and other bubble gum cards - there are . The Honus Wagner card appeared early in the history of baseball cards. The very first example was printed in .

Houston Chronicle - Baseball USA, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; $40; Vince Moore, vmsarge@yahoo.com or 832-865-5942. UPCOMING USYSA Texas state championships: April 19-22 and 26-29. Ages 9, 11, 13 (April 19-22); ages 10, 12, 14 (April 26-29); Integrity Park, in Argyle; David .

The USA Baseball team will play the Chinese National team in two games of the inaugural International Friendship Series on July 22 and 24 at Hank Aaron Stadium.

BURLINGTON, N.C. - Justin Brown and T.J. Bray each hit solo home runs to launch Averett past N.C. Wesleyan with a 3-2 victory on Thursday in the opening round of the USA South Conference baseball tournament.

MOBILE, AL - USA Baseball and the Mobile BayBears (AA Affiliate/Arizona Diamondbacks) announced today that the 2007 USA Baseball National Team and the Chinese National Team will play Games #1 and 2 of their inaugural International Friendship Series at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on July 22nd (6:05pm), and July 24th (7:05pm) 2007, CDT.

Scouting high school baseball talent is a science for super scout Jerry Ford of Perfect Game. Ford, who has scouted for 38 years, said the Class of 2007 "has the deepest group of power arms I've ever seen." At events such as the Perfect Game National Showcase, Aflac All-American Game and World Wood Bat Fall Camp, trends showed more pitchers throwing in the mid-90s (94-96 mph) than ever.

Roanoke Times - BURLINGTON, N.C. -- Michael Nolte's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning scored a run to give Ferrum an 8-7 win in the opening round of the USA South baseball tournament. Ferrum will play Averett at 9 a.m. today while Christopher Newport .

Punahou's baseball team is ranked No. 10 in the West Region in an article on USA Today's Web site. The high school baseball Super 25 and regional rankings are compiled by USA Today's Christopher Lawlor.

USA Today - Sabathia, that the homage could be diminished with almost one-third of baseball planning to wear No. 42. Cincinnati Reds . Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay .

New York Times - One reason Acta was hired, Kasten said, was that he managed the Dominican Republic last spring in the World Baseball Classic. Jos Rijo, a former Reds pitcher from the Dominican Republic, is a special assistant to the general manager and is chief .

MSNBC - Some suspect the World Baseball Classic as short-circuiting his 2006. But young starters Boof Bonser, Matt Garza and Scott Baker need time, which they will get if Silva assumes the No. 2 spot in the rotation. JASON SCHMIDT On paper, the Dodgers have .

Greenwich Time - Seven different teams. Opening Day with six of them. A World Series ring with the 1997 Marlins. A crushing NLCS loss with the 2003 Cubs. Six All-Star Games. A World Baseball Classic. In a long and successful big-league career. Moises Alou thought he .

PRWeb - The new hardcover book, INKED Inc., Tattooed Professionals, explores the world of the "corporate-tattooed" with a photographic look at the intersection of bodyart and professional culture. - 2007-03-29 New Ad Network Connects Hispanic Focused Sites .

It wasn't the World Baseball Classic, but it sure was a world baseball classic. And while it was Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka who attracted an international media throng to Fenway Park last.

BOSTON -- Here at this sacred baseball cathedral that lies more than 6,700 miles from Tokyo, there is a Dunkin' Donuts sign above the outfield bleachers with the words "Welcome to Fenway" written in Japanese, sushi being served in the media dining room, and 150 giddy members of the Japanese press crammed into the media quarters.

Former World Series MVP Dave Stewart launches Throwin' Heat, an unfiltered blog that discusses all topics related to Major League Baseball at NBX.com. (PRWeb Apr 11, 2007) Post Comment:Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/U2luZy1NYWduLUluc2UtQ3Jhcy1NYWduLVplcm8=

The country is abuzz over the pitcher's first season with the Boston Red Sox, another sign of Japanese baseball's success. TOKYO Jake Levin used to be the only Boston Red Sox fan on his baseball team, which isn't so surprising, given that his team is the Tokyo Kitasuna and plays in a youth league about half a planet away from Boston.

Ron Washington has had a lifelong love affair with baseball and he hopes to pass along some of his passion to children in the area.

Has baseball betrayed Jackie Robinson?

Rachel Robinson still has vivid memories of April 15, 1947, when her husband changed America forever.

Caspar Star-Tribune - . and others say baseball is taking steps to address the issue with programs such as RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and the MLB Urban Youth . Baseball in general became sort of like a symbol that everybody is going to get their turn at bat. If .

MSNBC - We rush to judge faster than ever in our society and baseball is the sport that most . this on television: Daryle Ward , pinch-hitting for the Cubs, hits a broken-bat . with any consistency should climb their pitching ladder while the Yankees youth .

Marshall Independent - The Glory Days of Minnesota Baseball, speaks at a presentation at SMSU Thursday . Fresh with energy, the boys, still without gloves and uniforms, and only a bat . It tested youth, matched township against township, village against village, and .

Tacoma News Tribune - He had a decent bat and some smarts, but as long as Dan Wilson was in Seattle, there wasnt any room at . Reece puts his multi-tasking ability to use these days as church youth pastor and high school baseball coach in Porterville, Calif.

Washington Post - Calvin Forrest bristles at the vibration that ripples down his arm when he hits with an aluminum baseball bat. So perhaps more . bill that would ban metal bats in that state after a 12-year-old was struck in the chest by a batted ball in a youth .

Normally, as a lifelong fan of both the Boston Red Sox and competence, the last thing I'd expect to get excited about would be a baseball card with Derek Jeter and President Bush on it. But you may have heard about the New York Yankees star's Topps trading card this season that features the president Photoshopped into the crowd in the background. Fortunately for Bush, only Jeter's career .

NEW YORK -- Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees will star in a campaign from Upper Deck touting the companys 2007 baseball sets and its fantasy baseball-related Web site for kids.

"If he has another very good year, he'll get calls from all over corporate America," said one sports marketing specialist. Locally, the Phillies already promote Ryan Howard heavily.

Rocky Mountain News - When all I get are numbers and names, it's time to break out Beckett's massive Baseball Card Alphabetical Checklist. The guide made quick work of tracking down your cards. They're all 1955 Topps cards with Bunky Stewart, Kemmerer and Spooner being .

ESPN.com - I covered the Galleryfurniture.com Bowl, the Super Bowl, baseball's All-Star Game, and now, the NBA All-Star Game . Joe Forte's Topps Pristine rookie card was selling for $15 at one of the collectible tables, leading to the following exchange:

Roanoke Times - BURLINGTON, N.C. -- Michael Nolte's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning scored a run to give Ferrum an 8-7 win in the opening round of the USA South baseball tournament. Ferrum will play Averett at 9 a.m. today while Christopher Newport .

USA Today - Sabathia, that the homage could be diminished with almost one-third of baseball planning to wear No. 42. Cincinnati Reds . Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay .

USA Today - In 1972, on the 25th anniversary of Robinson's first game, major league baseball was closing in on its high-water mark of . Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay .

ECU and MU will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. --- The schedule for this weekend's Conference USA baseball series between East Carolina and Marshall has been altered due to the threat of inclement weather.

MOBILE, AL - USA Baseball and the Mobile BayBears (AA Affiliate/Arizona Diamondbacks) announced today that the 2007 USA Baseball National Team and the Chinese National Team will play Games #1 and 2 of their inaugural International Friendship Series at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on July 22nd (6:05pm), and July 24th (7:05pm) 2007, CDT.

Greenwich Time - Seven different teams. Opening Day with six of them. A World Series ring with the 1997 Marlins. A crushing NLCS loss with the 2003 Cubs. Six All-Star Games. A World Baseball Classic. In a long and successful big-league career. Moises Alou thought he .

BOSTON -- Here at this sacred baseball cathedral that lies more than 6,700 miles from Tokyo, there is a Dunkin' Donuts sign above the outfield bleachers with the words "Welcome to Fenway" written in Japanese, sushi being served in the media dining room, and 150 giddy members of the Japanese press crammed into the media quarters.

There will be changes in year two of the MIMA Foundation/USTA Pro Tennis Classic at Kiwi Tennis Club, the biggest of which will be the addition of night matches.

Jim Abbott forced others to look beyond his disability by pitching his way past all the doubts and skepticism. The former major leaguer and University of Michigan star was among 11 former players and coaches elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

The country is abuzz over the pitcher's first season with the Boston Red Sox, another sign of Japanese baseball's success. TOKYO Jake Levin used to be the only Boston Red Sox fan on his baseball team, which isn't so surprising, given that his team is the Tokyo Kitasuna and plays in a youth league about half a planet away from Boston.

It is a long-standing Chicagoland tradition to yearn eagerly for the commencement of a baseball season. I remember this seemingly eternal wait during the winters of my youth.

The country is abuzz over the pitcher's first season with the Boston Red Sox, another sign of Japanese baseball's success. TOKYO Jake Levin used to be the only Boston Red Sox fan on his baseball team, which isn't so surprising, given that his team is the Tokyo Kitasuna and plays in a youth league about half a planet away from Boston.

MSNBC - Ripken has long been a proponent of youth baseball; the Ripken Foundation works throughout the country with Boys and Girls Clubs, inner-city schools and other such organizations to use the sport as a teaching tool for children. "It does make a lot of .

Baltimore Sun - Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Jan. 9. Ripken received 98.5% of the vote . Ask Cal column Ripken answers your questions on youth sports

Hampton Roads Daily Press - Thomas youth baseball. "Baseball was a sport that we wanted to revive in our area, to give the kids something to do year-round." Gomes received $10,000 seed money from the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation. He figures that he needs about $40,000 to fund the .

PhysOrg - . the country, the season's first official pitches are thrown and the crack of ball against bat . in the late 19th century and today in countries like the Dominican Republic and Mexico, baseball enjoys tremendous popularity. Most Latin American youth .

Washington Post - Calvin Forrest bristles at the vibration that ripples down his arm when he hits with an aluminum baseball bat. So perhaps more . bill that would ban metal bats in that state after a 12-year-old was struck in the chest by a batted ball in a youth .

Rachel Robinson still has vivid memories of April 15, 1947, when her husband changed America forever. As Jackie Robinson was getting ready to break baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Rachel was hustling to get to Ebbets Field in time to see it.

If you're looking for a great place to start a college baseball team, look no further than Sean Coughlin. While several teams in the Southeastern Conference must deal with overcoming youth at several key positions, Coughlin is the dream veteran at one of the most important positions on the field.

IJ report After falling into a five-run hole before its first at-bat, the College of Marin baseball team rallied all the way back to tie the game against Laney in