Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California • Page 8

,8 -TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2006 SPORTS THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL Is sports 1 doping vial half-full or half-empty? COMMUNITY DIGEST CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 ByJIMLITKE The Associated Press lour de France winner Floyd Landis and 'Olympic and world 100-meter champion Justin iGatlin got pulled over recently for racing under influence of performance-enhancers. The news may be even worse than it sounds. Because instead of boasting about how well the system works, the authorities are too busy a nervous eye on the horizon. They no idea how many more "speeders" arc to crest the hill, only that the number is likely to be more than they are prepared to handle. The head of the international cycling feder- acknowledged Sunday that he was con' Sidcring calling in real cops to help police the doping in his sport.

"Of course it is sad it has come to this," UCI Pat McQuaid said, "but it is the way it has to be." The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee 'wondered aloud whether the army would be manpower enough. "The cold reality is this: We are not yet winning the battle, and if we are ultimately to succeed, we must become smarter, more efficient and more effective in our efforts," USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth said. "The status quo will not work." If those gloomy assessments reflect the current state of doping in cycling and track and field, just imagine what's going on in the games that pay top dollar. Not only do bike racers and runners take home a fraction of what big league sluggers or big-time running backs make, but both sports test athletes more often for more substances than just about any other in and out of competition.

And, the samples are analyzed in state-of-the-art labs by the best scientists can buy. Yet nobody in charge can say with certainty the vial is half empty or half full, The fact that two of the highest-profile performers in their respective rackets got busted groves that nobody is above the law. There is arguing with that. But since Landis and iGatlin also happen to be among the most Respected and least suspected their professions, it begs the question: How many others are on the juice? The credibility of every sport depends on the answer, but almost nobody accepts the potion that the number caught reflects an accurate count. Especially when names like Landis Gatlin turn up on the blotter.

Because the goes that if athletes with that much Ability and drive, not to mention an unassail- work ethic, can be lured into risking to put themselves over the top, then than a few of the guys just trying to cash from week to week are doing the same. In baseball, for example, we've seen pitchers, hard-throwers and soft-tossers alike, jnfielders, outfielders, Latinos, blacks, ANf! I'hiilu Sprinter Justin Gatlin recently tested positive for high levels of testosterone. Caucasians and nobodies test positive for steroids alongside used-to-be-first-ballot Hall of Fame sluggers. Someone wrote poignantly that the moment of truth for too many marginal ballplayers comes with the onset of age or the realization that they've maximized their talent; then it's cheat or go home. That doesn't make their sins easier to but because they're role players, they are easier to forget.

When stars like Landis and Gatlin get caught, it diminishes the games, too, but in a much more insidious way. Increasingly, the performances we once regarded as magical the way Landis rebounded from crushing defeat only a day earlier, or the way Gatlin roared past a half-dozen other sprinters and hit the tape in world-record lime are proving to be byproducts of science, based on testing to dale. Ruin the biggest moments in the biggest games that way and there's no longer any way to separate surprise from suspicion. It makes spectating an effort. We keep talking about a return to some unspecified "good old clays" as though there actually were clays when big-time athletes weren't juiced.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Competitors looking for an edge, fair or otherwise, have been around since the beginning of sport. More are being than ever before, but it has never felt less satisfying. All it seems to prove is that a little knowledge is too often a dangerous thing. Maddux Continued from Page 6 'dislocated his pitching shoulder in a taxi accident, the ML East-leading New York Mets quickly replenished their staff by acquiring Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez from Pittsburgh for outfielder Xavier Nady.

Sanchez was riding in a cab that got in an accident near the team's hotel in Florida late Sunday night, the Mets said. They expect to learn in about a week whether Sanchez needs surgery. If he iijoes, the right-hander would miss the rest of the season potentially a huge blow to the club's World Series hopes. If not, he could return in September, according to gen- 0ral manager Omar Minaya. New York had hoped to land a top starting pitcher.

"We had some pretty big things on the table, especially Jate -yesterday," Minaya said. they didn't pan out." Pittsburgh also sent right- gander Kip Wells to Texas for minor league pitcher Jesse Chavez; outfielder Craig Wilson to the New York Yankees for right-hander Shawn Chacon; and first baseman Sean Casey to Detroit for fight-hander Brian Rogers. On Sunday, the Yankees got right fielder Bobby Abreu ttnd pitcher Cory Lidle from Philadelphia for four minor Jeaguers. They hope to get putfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui back from the disabled list before the end of the season. "I think we're better to run the rat race here in the final two months, but the competition is so fierce," general manager Brian Cashman said.

tObviously, all of us try to put ourselves and our teams in a position to separate ourselves from the pack, but I'm not sure anybody 'did that." AL East-leading Boston, which began the day a half- game ahead of the Yankees, didn't make any moves. "We were asked.over and over again for our young pitchers," general manager Theo Epstein said. "As much as we desperately wanted to help our team, it would have been shortsighted to sacrifice orr plan." Star shortstop Miguel Tejada also stayed put in Baltimore. "1 told them before that 1 don't want to go anywhere. I want to win here." said Tejada, who is signed through 2009.

Texas acquired infielder- AM Y06A UKIAH Bikini Season is Here $29 Intro Special 115 W. St Ukiah 468-YOGA outfielder Matt Stairs from Kansas City for right-hander Joselo Diaz. Cincinnati obtained left- hander Rheal Cormier from Philadelphia and right-hander Kyle Lohse from Minnesota. The Reds sent 23-year-old right-hander Justin Germano to the Phillies and 22-year-old right-hander Zach Ward to the Twins. In other recent trades, the Reds obtained closer Eddie Guardado from Seattle and relievers Gary Majewski and Bill Bray from Washington.

"I would have loved to have this bullpen at the start of the season," manager Jerry Natron said. Atlanta dealt struggling pitcher Jorge Sosa to St. Louis for right-hander Rich Scalamandre. Service Heating Cooling Air Conditioning Tune Up $49.00 Free Duct leakage Free refrigerant Free report showing system efficiency. 539-S Main St.

Ukiah 462-2021 'lo qualify you IIUIM! In- a rate p.iyiT Ajipruviil by Utililv Home Care Options In-Home Assisted Care Services Select Your Options! 0 Personal Attendants EJ Lite Housekeeping 0 E3 Transportation ED 462-6888 0 Bonded Insured 0 Case Management 0 12 24-Hour Shifts 0 Hourly Visits 0 Short Long-Term Care 0 Meal Preparation 160 W. Standiey Ukiah 10 a.m. until noon beginning July 9 at the Yokayo School gymnasium. Players need to wear comfortable clothes and basketball shoes. A parent or adult must sign in athletes and are welcome to view.

Please call Ronnie DeSoto at 2727292 for more information. Ukiah High School Water Polo Practice The Ukiah High School Water Polo team will hold its first practice on Monday, August 21 at 8 a.m. A team information packet can be picked up at the UHS pool after 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday throughout July. This includes an athlete physical form which must be completed before the student is allowed to practice.

Please call Rick Cleland at 463- 15b1 for more information. Six-A-Side Soccer Tournament Aug. 19 The Ukiah Host Lions and the Ryan Rones Dickey Memorial Soccer Fund are sponsoring a six-a-side soccer tournament for high age boys and girls on Aug. 19 at Ukiah High School. Games begin at 8 a.m.

and will go until about 5 p.m. Entry fee is $150 per team and applications can be picked up at 601 N. State Street or via e-mail at WNBA EASTERN CONFERENCE x-Conneclicut x-l3etroil x-lndiana x-Washinglon Charlotte New York Chicago 21 18 17 15 8 7 4 Pel GB 6.778 8.69J8 10.630 4 13.536B1/2 20.28613 20.259 14 23.148 17 WESTERN CONFERENCE x-Los Ancjeles Sacramento Houston Seattle San Antonio Phoenix Minnesota 23 17 16 14 12 11 9 Pet GB 6.793 11.6075 12.57161/2 14.5008 15.444 10 16.407 11 18.333 13 Applications are due by Aug. 1. For more information call 468-5711.

Ukiah Dolphins Swim Team Registration The Ukiah Dolphins is a year round competitive swim club for children aged five through 18. Any child that can swim 25 yards continuously may join the Dolphins. The hot summer months are a great time to get your child involved in swimming. Children are placed into different swimming groups depending on their ability and age. For more information leave a message by calling the Ukiah Dolphin Swim Team office at 463-5253, ext.

1301. Youth Soccer Camp Scholarship applicants wanted The Scholarship Committee is looking for applicants for the Ryan Rones Dickey Memorial Soccer Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is available for attendance at soccer camps. Applicants must be dedicated to the game of soccer, hard-working and have a good attitude. Please'pick up an application at 601 State St.

or call 468-5711. Please submit the application two weeks before the start of camp. Donations will be gratefully accepted SCOREBOARD Saturday's Game MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea FC, 3:30 p.m. Sunday's Game New England at CD Chivas USA, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, AugOst 9 Kansas City at Now England, 4:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Houston, 5 p.m. Real Salt Lake at Colorado, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 12 FC Dallas at Houston. 5:30 p.m.

CD Chivas USA at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Columbus at Kansas City, 5:30 p.m. Los Angelas at Colorado. 6 p.m. AMERICAN LEAGUE at 601 State St.

Mendocino College Commuter Volleyball Camp Aug. 7-11 Mendocino College is offering a commuter volleyball camp in Mendocino county the week of Aug. 711. The camp is divided into two sessions: Grades 7-9 from 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

and Grades 10-12 from 1:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. The camp will be held at Mendocino College and run by local coaches. Fee for the camp is $80 and the camp will limit the numbe of participants. For more information and a brochure call Ed Schweitzer at 462-3382.

To place an announcement in the "Community Sports Digest," contact The Ukiah Daily Journal Sports Department by phone at 468-3518. You may also mail your listing to 590 S. School Street, Ukiah, 95482, e-mail it to or fax it to us at 468-3544. Because the "Community Sports Digest" is a FREE service, no guarantees can be made on the frequency of a listing's appearance in The Daily Journal. To assure your event maximum publicity, please contact either our classified (4683535) or display advertising (4683510) departments.

Texas at Minnesota, 10:10 a.m. Seattle at Baltimore, 12:05 p.m. Oakland at L.A. Angels, 12:35 p.m. Cleveland at Boston, 4:05 p.m.

Toronto at N.Y.Yankees, 4:05 p.m. Detroit at Tampa Bay, 4:15 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Kansas City, 5:10 p.m. NATIONAL LEAGUE x-clinched playott spot Monday's Games No games scheduled Tuesday's Games New York at Connecticut, 4 p.m. Los Angeles at Washington, 4 p.m.

Phoenix at Chicago, 5 p.m. Seattle at Minnesota, 5 p.m. Indiana at Detroit, 5 p.m. Charlotte at San Antonio, 5 p.m. Houston at Sacramento.

7 p.m. Wednesday's Games No games scheduled East Division Boston New York Toronto Baltimore Tampa Bay Central Division Detroit Ctiicago Minnesota Cleveland Kansas City West Division Oakland Los Angeles Texas Seattle 62 61 57 48 43 70 61 60 45 37 55 54 52 51 Pet GB 41.602 41.598 48.543 6 58.453 15 62.410 20 Pel GB 34.673 42.5928 43.5839 58.437241/2 67.356 33 Pet GB 50.524 50.519 53.495 3 53.4903 East Division New York Philadelphia Florida Atlanta Washington Central Division St. Louis Cincinnati Milwaukee Houston Chicago Pittsburgh West Division San Diego Arizona San Fra cisco Colorado Los Angeles 63 49 49 48 46 58 55 50 49 43 40 55 53 51 50 50 Pet GB 41.606 55.471 14 56.46714 56.462 15 59.43817 Pel GB 46.558 50.5243 55.4768 56.4679 61.413 15 66.377 19 Pet GB 50.524 51.5101 54.486 4 54.4814 55.476 5 MLS Eastern Conference D.C. United New Engiand New York Chicago Kansas Cily Columbus 13 6 5 5 6 4 Western Conference FC Dallas Houston Colorado CD Chivas USA Los Angeles Real Salt Lake 12 8 Pts GF GA 6 45 38 19 8 26 2S 26 9 24 23 26 7 22 24 26 3 21 22 28 8 20 16 28 Pts GF GA 3 39 35 25 8 32 30 24 4 28 25 29 8 26 32 28 5 20 16 24 Monday's Games Cleveland at Boston, 7:05 p.m. Seattle at Baltimore.

7:05 p.m. Detroit at Tampa Bay, p.m. Texas at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Kansas Cily, 8:10 p.m. Oakland at L.A.

Angels, 10:05 p.m. Tuesday's Games Cleveland (Sabathia 7-7) at Boston (Snyder 2-2), 4:05 p.m. Toronto (Burnett 2-4) at N.Y.Yankees (Wright 66). 4:05 p.m. Seattle (Moyer6-9) at Baltimore (R.Lopez 7-11), 4:05 p.m.

Detroit (Verlander 13-4) at Tampa Bay (Howell 00), 4:15 p.m. Tex 5 10 5 20 25 29 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for lie. Texas (Eaton 0-1) at Minnesota (Baker 3-6), 5:10 p.m. Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 9-9) at Kansas City (OPerez 0-0), 5:10 p.m. Oakland (Blanton 11-8) at L.A.

Angels (Colon-1'-' 5), 7:05 p.m. Wednesday's Games Monday's Games Florida 15, Philadelphia 2 Arizona at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m. Milwaukee at Colorado, 9:05 p.m. Washington at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m. Tuesday's Games Atlanta (Smoltz 8-5) at Pittsburgh (Snell 9-6), 4:05 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Pellrey 2-1) at Florida (Olsen 9-4), L.A. Dodgers (Penny 10-5) at Cincinnati (Arroyo 9-7), p.m. Arizona (Vargas 8-7) at Chicago Cubs (Hill 0-4), 5:05 p.m. Philadelphia (Mathieson 0-2) at St.

Louis (Suppan 8-5), 5:10 p.m. Milwaukee (Bush 6-8) at Colorado (Fogg 7-5), 6:05 p.m. Houston (Pettittb 9-11) at San Diego (Peavy 510), 7:05 p.m. Washington (Hernandez 8-8) at San Francisco (Cain 7-7), 7:15 p.m. Wednesday's Games Washington at San Francisco, 12:35 p.m.

N.Y. Mets al Florida, 4:05 p.m. Atlanta at Pittsburgh. 4:05 pjii. L.A.

Do'dgers at Cincinnati, 4:10 p.m. Arizona at Chicago Cubs, 5:05 p.m. -Philadelphia at St. Louis, 5:10 p.m. Milwaukee at Colorado, 6:05 p.m.

Houston at San Diego, 7:05 p.m. The Ukiah DAIIJ OUKHAL Special Editorial Features: Bus Schedule School News Feature Stories Tips for kids teens, plus much more! Don't Miss Help us welcome all our new Students as they head back to school! Publication Dates: Sunday, 13th Ukiah Daily Journal Tuesday 15th Journal Sampler Deadline Friday, August 4th The DAIL URML.