In briefs: Catcher St. Pierre is happiest Detroit Tiger

Baseball: Max St. Pierre’s perseverance has paid off. The Detroit Tigers have added an awfully happy backup catcher.

The 30-year-old rookie was brought up to the big leagues on Wednesday after 14 seasons — spanning 978 games — in the minors. His next at-bat — and manager Jim Leyland promised he’d get one — will be his first in the majors.

“I’m still like dreaming, I feel like,” St. Pierre said in the visitors’ clubhouse at Target Field before Detroit’s game against the Twins. He was taken out of Tuesday’s game with Triple-A Toledo and told of the long-awaited promotion.

He slept for one hour. That was one flight he didn’t want to miss.

Associated Press

Sauk leaves Shock for Utah

Football: Spokane offensive coordinator Matt Sauk has accepted a similar position with the Utah Blaze, according to Shock head coach Rob Keefe.

The move will allow Sauk to return fulltime to his home in Utah with his wife and two young daughters. He will also receive a small pay raise to join Blaze head coach Ron James’ staff.

Spokane, with first-year coordinator Sauk calling plays, averaged 61.4 points during the regular season, third best in the league. The Shock averaged 62 points in three playoff games as quarterback Kyle Rowley tossed 23 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Jim Meehan

Valley Christian drops football

Football: Valley Christian School is dropping football because of a low turnout and safety concerns, Headmaster Derick Tabish said.

Last year, Valley Christian player Drew Swank died after a hit he suffered in a game.

“We felt it was best for our players to cancel before the season began to give them an opportunity to play for their local public school this year,” Tabish said.

Tabish said of the 14 players who turned out, seven are playing for other schools.