Baseball to add women to 2016 Olympic bid
Baseball will be adding a women’s component to its bid to get reinstated for the 2016 Olympics, after failing to unite with women’s softball.
The president of the International Baseball Federation, Harvey Schiller, told the Associated Press the change will be made in the next few days.
“The main reason is the growth of the game, and, obviously, we have a constituency which makes up women’s baseball, and they’re asking, ‘What about us?’ ” Schiller said in a telephone interview Monday. “We want the world to know that we have women’s baseball.”
The move comes a few weeks after women’s softball rejected baseball’s proposal for a joint baseball-softball bid. The two sports are among seven competing for two openings for new sports at the 2016 Olympics; the International Olympic Committee will decide in October.
Schiller estimated that between 300,000 and 500,000 women and girls play baseball worldwide, a figure that includes Little League and T-ball.
NHL
Hossa’s two goals lift Red Wings over Sabres
Marian Hossa scored twice and Chris Osgood tied Dominik Hasek for 10th on the career wins list in helping the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y.
Osgood made 32 saves, earning his 389th victory and tying Hasek, the former Red Wings starter who spent most of his career with Buffalo.
•Iginla, Flames top Kings: Jarome Iginla had a goal and an assist to lead the Flames to a pivotal 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Calgary, Alberta.
Calgary moved two points ahead of Vancouver in the race for first place in the Northwest Division.
•Heatley, Senators net win: Dany Heatley scored two goals 38 seconds apart to put Ottawa ahead with 7:59 left in the third period and the Senators beat the Canadiens 3-2 at Montreal.
Football
Garcia returning to Bay Area, signs deal with Oakland
After a four-team, five-season odyssey since leaving the 49ers, Jeff Garcia finally found his way back home to the Bay Area – albeit on the other side from where he started.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback joined the Oakland Raiders with the 39-year-old passer agreeing to a one-year deal to be JaMarcus Russell’s backup.
•Williams Tasered, arrested: NFL receiver Reggie Williams was charged with drug possession after off-duty policemen used a Taser to subdue him when he refused to leave a bar.
Houston police spokesman Kese Smith said Williams, a former standout with the Washington Huskies, was impaired when he refused to leave a bar Sunday night. He struggled with two off-duty officers who tried to escort him out and one of them used a Taser on him.
Police say jail officials later found a small bag believed to contain cocaine in Williams’ back pocket. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and freed after posting a $2,000 bond.
•Ravens re-sign Rolle: Cornerback Samari Rolle has re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens for a four-year deal.
The team said Rolle signed the contract after being cut last month. Terms weren’t immediately available.
Cycling
French doping agency forwards report on Armstrong
France’s anti-doping agency has sent a report on Lance Armstrong’s recent test to international sports authorities.
The report from March 17 was forwarded to cycling’s governing body and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The French agency said it will decide to investigate once it hears from the cycling body. The international cycling group, however, told the Associated Press it doesn’t have jurisdiction in this matter.