Fast Break

Baseball

Hargrove finds lost passion

More than two months after abruptly stepping down as manager of the Seattle Mariners, Mike Hargrove has decided to take over the semipro summer team in southwest Kansas he played for more than 30 years ago.

Hargrove, 57, will manage the Liberal BeeJays, one of the nation’s most successful summer teams for college-age players in Liberal, Kan., about 50 miles from where he grew up in Perryton, Texas.

“When I resigned from the team, I said I hadn’t lost my passion for the game but maybe lost my passion for the job a little bit,” Hargrove told the Associated Press in a telephone interview Friday. “Working with the BeeJays sounds interesting and exciting and fun. … And if I can help them then it’s the best of both worlds.”

Hargrove resigned July 1 from the Mariners, saying he couldn’t muster the daily dedication he has demanded from players for his 15 1/2 seasons as a big league manager. He left when Seattle was soaring at 12 games better than .500.

Skiing

Schweitzer picked as top 25 resort

Skiing Magazine readers voted Schweitzer Mountain Resort as No. 21 in the magazine’s annual survey to decide the top 25 ski resorts in North America.

Schweitzer, which overlooks the town of Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille, joins the ranks of well-known destination resorts such as Whistler, Alta/Snowbird, Jackson Hole, and Crested Butte.

Skiing Magazine survey respondents repeatedly commented on Schweitzer’s excellent, expansive and uncrowded terrain, the high-quality snow and the friendly staff. Two new chairlifts are being installed for this winter season, for a total of 10 lifts.

Arena football

Shock will hold open tryout

So, you think you can still strap it on?

The Spokane Shock will hold an open tryout for prospective players interested in playing for the defending Western Division Champions during the 2008 season.

The tryout will be held Sept. 29 at the Shock Center, 3212 North Eden Road, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The cost of the tryout is $50 for those who preregister or $60 at the door the day of the event. Preregistration forms are available by visiting www.spokaneshock.com.