MLB.com Wins 2008 BREW Developer Award From Qualcomm
MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, today announced that its MLB.com Gameday plus Gameday Audio(TM) mobile application was honored by Qualcomm Incorporated as a 2008 BREW Developer Award winner in the category of ‘Best Personalization or Infotainment Application.’
Gameday plus Gameday Audio(TM) is a downloadable application for select mobile devices that provides fans with unrestricted access to the home, away and foreign language feeds for live audio broadcasts of every Major League game. Additionally, fans can watch real-time pitch-by-pitch statistics with Gameday(TM) or personalize the Player Tracker(TM) with a roster of up to 40 of their favorite players. This ultimate mobile baseball experience is available as a monthly subscription. Fans should consult their individual wireless service provider for details and pricing.
The award was announced during ceremonies at the BREW 2008 Conference on Wednesday at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The seventh annual BREW 2008 Developer Awards is a program that honors an outstanding array of diverse and innovative BREW applications from a global collection of the industry’s best publishers and developers. Each submission was evaluated by a panel of international industry experts based on criteria such as: ease of use, originality, features, success or likelihood of success and overall ‘coolness.’
Source: MLB.com
Web site: http://www.mlb.com/
Sports news 29 May 2008
 Vancouver Sun |
Stanley Cup notebook
Boston Globe PITTSBURGH – A sure sign of a team in trouble is when a coach in the middle of a playoff series keeps talking about the officiating. |
 Bleacher Report |
No doubt, he got game
Boston Herald By Tony Massarotti In the end, in the latest minutes of this rags-to-riches Celtics [team stats] turnaround, the ball found Ray Allen nestled in a crowded corner. |
 SLAM! Sports |
Cubs wait all night, then walk off
MLB.com By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com CHICAGO — Pinch-hitter Mike Fontenot doubled and scored on Alfonso Soriano’s walk-off single with one out in the 10th inning to power the Cubs to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and complete a … |
 KEPR 19 |
Tough-luck Tim Wakefield does his part in Red Sox loss to Mariners
Boston Herald By Michael Silverman SEATTLE – Tim Wakefield [stats] pitched the second-best game of his still young season last night. On most nights, with this Red Sox [team stats] offense behind him, that would be more than enough to get a win. |
 Columbus Dispatch |
Making a case for Garcia in Open
San Francisco Chronicle (05-28) 19:35 PDT — Fast forward two weeks to the US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Let’s pretend Tiger Woods’ surgically repaired left knee aches too badly for him to walk 7643 yards on four consecutive days. |
 CNN-IBN |
Sharapova a long way from Grand Slam form
FOXSports.com by Matt Cronin, Special to FOXSports.com You can look at Maria Sharapova’s chances at her first French Open title in four different ways. |
 New York Daily News |
Price wows Pedro in Class A game
MLB.com By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com PORT ST. LUCIE – In a game in which Class A players were supposed to be in awe of a three-time Cy Young Award winner taking the mound, Pedro Martinez was marveling at his opponent. |
 The Money Times |
Durham, Giants pound D-Backs
Sports Network Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) – Ray Durham homered and drove in four runs as the San Francisco Giants pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-3 in the middle installment of a three-game series. |
 Washington Post |
MLB: Detroit 6, LA Angels 2
United Press International ANAHEIM, Calif., May 29 (UPI) — Marcus Thames hit a pair of two-run homers Wednesday, allowing Detroit to avoid a series sweep with a 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. |
Hockeytown Mania in Detroit as Red Wings Battle for the Stanley Cup
All around Hockeytown is evidence of Detroit’s hockey spirit. From statues to buildings, there’s plenty to experience as the Detroit Red Wings enter the final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Before the start of game one on Saturday, May 24, the iconic Detroit Tigers statue located at the main entrance to Comerica Park will get a giant Detroit Red Wings sweater in support of the team as they continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.
The sweater is traditionally worn by the Spirit of Detroit figure in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, however, a major restoration project means the statue will be cheering on the Wings in spirit only.
The jersey, which required 535 square feet of material, was made especially for the 25-foot-long, 15-foot-tall Tiger. The Tiger will be wearing the Red Wings sweater throughout the playoffs so that fans can come down and roar for the Detroit Red Wings!
“This is a great time in Detroit sports,” said Dave Dombrowski, president, chief executive officer and general manager for the Detroit Tigers. “We are so proud that the Detroit Red Wings are a part of our family and we want to support them in any and every way in their fight for the Stanley Cup!”
In addition, a larger-than-life mural completely covering the north side of Hockeytown Cafe and featuring Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Paval Datsyuk will be hung at approximately 2 p.m. today. The tribute to the Detroit Red Wings is 60 feet wide and 30 feet tall. It sponsored by Miller Lite and makes for a great backdrop for fans who want to immortalize this year’s hockey memories in pictures.
To add a new twist to playoff excitement, as the sun goes down on Saturday evening, a 20-foot projection screen will come to life on the patio of Hockeytown Cafe and the picture will become clear: the Wings are making their quest for the Cup. The outdoor screen will offer additional viewing opportunities for Red Wings fans.
Finally, local fans not familiar with downtown Detroit and out-of-town visitors can get help from the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) Ambassadors who will be stationed throughout the city to be sure everyone can find what they are looking for and get where they are going.
The DMCVB Ambassadors will be easily identifiable in their red polo shirts with the Red Wings logo. In addition to answering questions, these fans of Detroit will be handing out Detroit Red Wings buttons so everyone can show their support for our hometown team.
The DMCVB also is drumming up excitement in Detroit with banner signs on the light poles around Joe Louis Arena, on Jefferson and along Woodward in the Foxtown area. The banners will be hung today and tomorrow.
For more information about the Detroit Red Wings, please visit http://redwings.nhl.com/ .
Source: Detroit Red Wings
Web site: http://redwings.nhl.com/
New USA Cheer Governing Body to Promote the Growth, Support and Safety Education of Competitive Cheerleading
Group Will Field National All-Star Team to Compete At Inaugural World Cup Championship; Represent the U.S. Globally
A group of America’s most accomplished leaders in cheerleading have announced today the formation of the USA Federation for Sports Cheering, which will be known and marketed as USA Cheer.
USA Cheer will serve as the official governing body of cheerleading in the United States, and the officially recognized U.S. representative of the International Cheer Union (ICU), the acting worldwide organization overseeing the activity.
The new governing body will represent the U.S. in international cheer competitions, including the inaugural World Cup Championship that will be held in April 2009 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. USA Cheer will assemble a 24-member national team of America’s elite cheer talent that will compete against similar teams from over 50 countries. Competing countries will field co-ed and all girl teams, ages 14 and up.
In addition to representing the U.S. internationally, USA Cheer will focus efforts and resources on increasing participation in and support of cheer throughout the country. The organization has stated that two of their primary goals is to USA Cheer brings together the entire cheerleading community, both at the school level, as well as clubs, known as all-star programs, to promote the many positive experiences cheerleading provides millions of young people across the country, as well as promoting cheer safety education nationwide.
Jeff Webb, the CEO and founder of Varsity Brands Inc, the world’s largest cheerleading brand, has been selected President of USA Cheer. Other executives and board members include:
- Jim Chadwick (VP) – President of U.S. All-Star Federation for Cheer and Dance and the International All-Star Federation
- Dawn Calitri (VP) – President of the National Cheerleaders Association and the National Dance Association
Representing the U.S. All-Star Federation (USAF)
- Aaron Flaker – Founder and Co-Owner of the JAM Brands and a director for the USASF
- Karen Halterman – Director for the USASF
Representing the National Federation of State High School Associations
- Rhonda Blanford Green – Assistant Commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association
Representing the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators are (AACCA):
- Jim Lord – Executive Director of AACCA T. Lynn Williamson – Senior Associate General Counsel for the University of Kentucky, and Spirit Advisor for University of Kentucky for the last 30 years.
- Carolyn Shoemaker – President for the Florida Cheer Coaches Association, and a director for the AACCA
Representing the National Alliance for School Cheerleading:
- Mike Burgess – President of the United Spirit Association (USA)
- Jim Thorp – Founder and President of Cheerleading Technique Camps and the American Championships
Representing the Active Athletes:
- Krisler Bailey – Executive Committee Representative for Active Athletes and former cheerleader for Hofstra University.
- David McDowell – Former four-year cheerleader for the University of Kentucky and currently Head Coach for University of Alabama Cheerleaders.
- Emily Burster – Former four year cheerleader for Drexel University
“Establishing USA Cheer and unifying this multi-talented leadership team is an historic, pivotal step toward continuing the steady domestic growth and international expansion of competitive cheer,” said Webb, who is widely credited with revolutionizing the sport. He added, “Cheerleading is a unique activity in that it functions at times as a sport during competitions, but it is also viewed as an important campus leadership activity at thousands of colleges and high schools in the US.”
Source: USA Cheer
LPGA Competitors and Friends Come Together for Breast Cancer
Ninth annual LIFE Event brings another $500,000 to the cause; funds benefit the Val Skinner Foundation and programs that drive “Young Women’s Initiative.”
Thirty-two LPGA pros including world no. 1 Lorena Ochoa, Hall of Fame members, Beth Daniel and Karrie Webb, and top-ranked players such as Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford, Brittany Lincicome, Nicole Castrale and Sherri Steinhauer came together for the ninth annual LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) Event on May 19. The event, hosted by LPGA veteran Val Skinner, raised $500,000 for the breast cancer fight. This year’s event brings the cumulative funds raised by LIFE for the breast cancer cause to $4.5 million.
Held again at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., the LIFE Event benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the LPGA’s official national charity and largest private backer of breast cancer research and education, and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. Together, Skinner and these beneficiaries created the “Young Women’s Initiative” — a multifaceted approach to educating young women and other audiences about the risks associated with breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Komen and CINJ programs funded by LIFE move this initiative forward.
“The LIFE Event is an opportunity for LPGA friends, event partners and beneficiaries with a common desire to play a role in the fight against breast cancer to come together to make a difference,” said Val Skinner, event founder and host. “This one-day event results in powerful programs that are changing the future of the disease.”
LIFE Event partners include: the Joe Plumeri Family, Merrill Lynch, Emblem Health, Guy Carpenter, QualCare and Roche. Other notable supporters are: Assured Guaranty, Commerce Bank, The ACE Group, Ortho Biotech, Citigroup Smith Barney, Marsh, New Smith, GUND, Inc. and Lincoln Mercury.
Skinner will host a second LIFE Series event in the fall in Hilton Head, S.C., which will raise an additional $500,000 for the cause. Collectively, both events will bring the first LIFE $1 million annual donation to the cause.
Skinner founded LIFE after the loss of her friend and fellow LPGA golfer, Heather Farr, who died of breast cancer in 1993 at the age of 28. For more information about the LIFE Event or Val Skinner Foundation call 866-882-LIFE or visit www.valskinnerfoundation.org .
Source: Val Skinner Foundation
Web site: http://www.valskinnerfoundation.org/