Fast Break

Baseball

Justice serves one up

Samuel Alito liked being on this bench, too.

Dressed in a green Devil Rays jersey instead of a black robe, the Supreme Court justice stood in the dugout Saturday, getting ready to throw out the first ball before Tampa Bay played his favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies, at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Asked what he would throw, Alito said, “A gyroball.”

Devil Rays reliever Ruddy Lugo drew the assignment of catching Alito. The justice offered an opinion on how to frame the pitch.

“Make it look like a strike,” Alito told Lugo.

Alito trotted to the mound, briefly pawed the rubber and delivered a good, firm toss.

“One of the things I am asked is if I believe in a living Constitution,” Alito said in his speech, referring to a thought that the Constitution can reflect the times. “Umpires face this very same problem. For example, do we want a living strike zone?”

The right-hander should hope so. His opening pitch was a bit high – the Devil Rays’ furry mascot generously called it a strike.

Hockey

EWU team falls in semifinals

The Eastern Washington men’s club hockey team advanced to the semifinals of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II National Championships in Fort Collins, Colo., before losing to Davenport of Grand Rapids, Mich., 3-0 in the semifinals.

EWU finished pool play 2-1, defeating Ohio State 6-1 and Penn State 5-2, but losing to Michigan 3-1.

Calling all camps

Summer is coming up fast, and we’re getting ready to publish our annual summer camp guide. If you have a camp that you would like included in this publication, send the information to summercamps@spokesman. com; fax to (509) 459-5098; or mail to Summer Camp Guide, The Spokesman- Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane WA 99201. Please include a description of the camp, location, dates, times, recommended ages, cost, and contact information. Submissions must be received by March 23. Questions? Call (509) 459-5485.