Fast Break
NFL
Commitment to taking time off
The Oakland Raiders are fond of preaching their commitment to excellence. Apparently, some players feel as if new coach Lane Kiffin is a tad too committed.
That much became apparent Friday, when Kiffin said the NFL had stripped the Raiders of the final week of their organized team activities for violating terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“I was notified that the (NFL) Players (Association) believes our total commitment to improving our football team has resulted in some violations of rules regarding practice standards,” Kiffin said in a statement released by the club. “The union has complained about the high level of intensity, player aggressiveness and fast pace of our practices and as a result, has taken away the final week of our off-season program.”
Union president Gene Upshaw didn’t respond to a media request for comment.
College baseball
Short shortstop brings big game
Louisville’s Chris Cates won’t be offended if you say he puts the short in shortstop.
At 5-foot-2 3/4 inches, Cates is advertised as the smallest player in Division I baseball.
It’s a title Cates embraces.
“With my cleats on, maybe I’m 5-3,” he said.
Cates insists that people call him “Wee-Man,” a nod to the 4-7 co-star of MTV’s “Jackass.”
Voted captain by his teammates, Cates brings a big game to the field. He’s is a career .302 hitter who was drafted in the 38th round by the Minnesota Twins.
He also brings high energy and his spunk makes him a fan favorite – and an easy target.
The senior from Brandon, Fla., laughs when he recalls some of the barbs thrown his way from the stands.
Someone once yelled for the infield grass to be mowed so Cates could see.
Another time, as Cates walked to the plate, a fan ribbed him about his lack of stature by bellowing that there appeared to be a batting helmet lying on the field.
NFL Europa
Meyer misses out on title game
Former Eastern Washington University quarterback Erik Meyer threw for 220 yards and a score, but it wasn’t enough to propel the Cologne Centurions into the World Bowl as the host Frankfurt Galaxy advanced with a 31-14 victory.
Frankfurt will play the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europa’s title game.
Baseball
And, finally, for the fathers
From the archives, in honor of every father who changes a diaper today on Father’s Day, former major league player Jimmy Piersall on how to manage the task:
“Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then, fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher’s mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together.
“Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again.”