The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 17

3 wwwtenneS8ean.com THE TENNESSEAN Monday, Jura 30, 20O3 3C SPORTS CZEEBIZDinZS edators Geek tides for ft Redbirds 7, Sounds 4 fJl Next game: Today, at New Orleans Where 7:05 p.m. ti 2 I 2 3 "1 3 bi Mwnpt ab 2 I 0 MaHoy2b 3 0 1 I Bowercss 4 0 0 0 Setbyrf 4 1 1 0 SeaOoUb 4 I 1 Gal IB 3 0 I NashvM ofc Dost) 4 AWarezlf 3 0 BamescVrt 4 Mckwk It) 4 DavBrf 4 Motoerlss 3 rjiqc 4 DetaRsa3b4 Guetnef 1 Rdmnphct2 3 Dunwoycf 4 Must decide fate of 1 7 free agents by midnight By CHIP CIRILLO Staff Writer Today is decision day for General Manager David Poile as he tries to shape the Predators' roster. The NHL's fiscal year ends at midnight tonight, the deadline for free agents to be signed or receive qualifying offers 10 raises. If 0 I 0 Motnop 0 4 0 0 0 Havneslf know because something could come your way to change that" Predators Coach Barry Trotz has said all week that it's unlikely Houlder and Hulse will be signed to new contracts. Poile declined to comment on who else the Predators might lose to free agency.

"I've talked to quite a few agers and I think there's going to be more guys not receiving qualifying offers than usual," Poile said "So let's just see not only the quantity, but the quality." Hot shot Richard Stehlik, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defenseman drafted by the Predators in the third round last 0 0 0 Wdgerc 4 0 0 0 Carpenter pi 0 0 0 Pearson 1 Springer 0 Cookp 0 Tagucnjph 1 Ormep 0 Numalycf 0 4 14 Totab 33 Game at a glance Losing pitcher Matt Guerrier (3-6). Big stick: J.J. Davis, 3-for-4, including a double and his 16th homer, a two-run shot in eighth. How they tost Guerrier gave up five runs on seven hits in six innings, including solo homers to John Gall, Chris Widger and Marty Maltoy. What they said: Manager Trent Jewett on Davis batting fifth, the first time he has batted anywhere but sixth this season: "He proved he could hit anywhere in the lineup." Tonight's pitchers: Sounds -RHP John Wasdin (7-3, 3.20 ERA); Zephyrs RHP Ken Vining (2-5, 5.46).

STAFF REPORTS 710 lotah 33 101000 020 4 tO 300 101 20x 7 10 0 Nathvl Memphis tenders through the screen with speed like that" Smooth transition: Left wing Tim-ofei Shishkanov didn't have much trouble adjusting to the North American style of play after growing up in Moscow. The 6-L 213-pound Russian had 36 goals and 46 assists for Quebec in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season, his first in North America. "Some of my goals were one-on-one, sometimes it was on a rebound and some were on breakaways," Shishkanov said. "I will start practice soon in Russia and I will come back for training camp. I hope you will see me in Nashville." Sharp shooters Goaltender Brian Finley said Scottie Upshall and Oliver Setzinger have been the two best shooters at camp.

"Oliver has lost about 20 or 25 pounds, so he's a little quicker around the net That's definitely helped him with his scoring. "Scottie is pretty slick, and sometimes he seems to just find the holes. I'll seem to have the whole angle covered and he'll sneak it five hole or between the ana Only a few guys have that "Darren Haydar is another guy like that They just seem to be able to find the hole." AP week, won the hardest shot contest with a 92-mph slap shot during the skills competition at the conditioning camp yesterday. The prospects fired shots from the slot near the PCL standings American Conference Central Drvwon the Predators don sign Bui Houl-der, Cale Hulse and Reid Simpson to new contracts, they will become unrestricted free agents. There are also 14 restricted free agents in Nashville's organization who must receive qualifying offers by midnight for the Predators to retain their rights: Denis Arkhipov, Scott Hartnell, Andreas Johansson, David Legwand, Rem Murray, Denis Pederson, Domenic Pittis, Alexander Riazantsev, Robert Schnabel, Karlis Skrastins, Kimmo Timonen, Todd Warriner, Clarke Wilm and Vitali Yachmenev.

If they don't get offers, they become unrestricted free agents. "We've got a few people that we're talking to, both with our club and outside our club," Poile said. "I think for the most part most of the decisions are made, but you never 42 42 41 43 38 44 38 44 GB 2VS 3 STEHUK Jason Keller savors the first-place trophy after winning the Busch Series GNC Live Well 250 at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. First win of season for Kdler Outduels friend Riggs Pet .500 .468 .470 .463 Pet .590 .549 .500 .402 106-Nosrivile 6. Memphis 4 2B Davis.

Setby. Gal. Dunwooay 2. 36 Oosier HR-Oavrs (16). Maloy (I).

Gat (9). Wioger (2), Arvarei SB Hotbed, Bowers 2 CS Dunwooay. Ip bo to Nashvle GuemerLW 6.0 7 5 5 1 4 Sanchez 2.0 3 2 2 I I Memphis Carpenter 31 4 2 2 2 1 Pearson w. 30 .2 0 0 0 0 0 Springer 1.0 0 0 0 12 Coots 20 2 0 0 0 0 Ohme 1.0 2 2 2 0 1 Moina ID 0 0 0 0 1 WP-Cook. 2.630.

Pa schedule Yesterdas mutts Omaha 7, Iowa 3 Oklahoma 5. Colorado Springs 3 Portland 6. Salt Lake 4 Edmonton 2, Tacoma 0 Tucson 4. Las vegas 0 Sacramento 1 1 Fresno 5 New Orleans 5. Albuquerque 1 Todays games Naahve at New Ortoara Fresno at Las vegas Iowa at Colorado Springs Memphs at Oklahoma Omaha at AlbuquarquB Portland at Tacoma Sacramento at Tucson Salt Lake at Edmonton 49 34 46 37 42 42 33 49 3Vt 15'A center of the faceoff circles at Centennial Sportsplex.

"He's got a lot of weight behind that shot," goalie Matt Davis said after the sessioa "That's what you need at the blue line. That'll beat a lot of goal- Col. Springs (Rookies) Omaha (Royals) Ajbuquerque (Martins) Iowa (Cubs) Eastern Division New Orleans (Astros) Nashve (Prates) Oklahoma (Rangers) MemcrtsCaninis) Pacific Conference Northern Division Portland (Padres) Edmonton (Expos) Salt Lake (Angels) Tacoma (Manners) Southern Division Sacramento (Athletics) Las Vegas (Dodgers) Tucson (O backs) Fresno (Giants) 43 41 40 39 39 44 35 49 Pet .512 .506 .470 .417 Pet .643 .571 .494 .415 'reds: Upshall, Brown stick together 64 48 35 40 41 34 48 5V4 12ft 19 From Kamloops to Nashville Predators prospects statistics with Kamloops last season: Name GP A Pts PIM Scottie Upshall 42 25 31 56 113 Paul Brown 67 21 35 56 229 Josh Morrow 40 7 14 21 98 Aaron Gionet 67 1 12 13 185 "He's kind of protected me and he's kind of been that guy who's been on my side my whole junior career," Upshall said. "He's looked out for me, and I have great respect for the guy. We laughed when he got drafted because he was saying, 'I can't get away from you.

I'm going to be doing this the rest of my Brown (ankle) and Morrow United States Mortgage presents NASHVILLE'S BEST FIXED RATES 1 5 Yr Fixed 30Yr Fixed Traded from Tri-Cities in November (combined stats). atThe Milwaukee Mile Associated Press WEST ALLIS, Wis. Jason Keller won the GNC Live Well 250 under the yellow flag yesterday for his first Busch Series victory of the season. Keller went back and forth for the lead with teammate Scott Riggs for about six laps before taking the lead for good on the 231st lap at The Milwaukee Mile. Keller, who drove the No.

57 Albertsons Ford, said neither he nor Riggs wanted to harm each other. "It was the first time I ever had to battle my teammate like that for the win, and it was pretty nerve-racking," Keller said. "I knew I had a better race car, but I couldn't just go up there and drive by because I didn't want to rough him up." Brian Vickers finished second and David Stremme was third. Riggs dropped off to seventh place. Riggs said the race was exciting i i i i 4.5 I Trotz said.

"It doesn't surprise me that you get a lot of good players from there. They've always had a good development system, good scouting and winning teams. Those are things we want to develop, as well." Chip Cirilto covers the Predators for The Tennessean. He can be reached at 259-8240 or ccirillotennessean.com. (shoulder; were sidelined this week after undergoing surgery to repair injuries but should be 100 by training camp in September.

Gionet has looked impressive after earning a United States Mortgage Live The American Dream Residential 615-742-5626 Commercial www.myusmortgage.com man, and he plays with an edge. He intimidates guys in our league, and he's a lay-it-on-the-line guy." If Upshall comes to camp with high intensity, the first-round pick from last year's entry draft has a good chance to make the Predators after playing with Nashville for eight games last seasoa Brown (third round, 2003), Morrow (seventh round, 2002) and Gionet will have more difficult routes to the NHL, but all three have potential and history on their side. "If you look at the alumni from Kamloops, it's a pretty impressive group," Predators Coach Barry MORROW Usg Our Portable Air Conditioner Decause me anvers are menus. "We were driving aggressively," free-agent invitation to camp. "Aaron was our captain this year, and I've played with him for three years now," Brown said.

"He doesn't take a shift off and he's probably the hardest-working guy I know. Josh is a very fast defense- he said. That's how respectable drivers are supposed to race." Pole-sitter Johnny Sauter, of Necedah, failed to become the first Wisconsin native to win the GNC Live Well 250, finishing 13th. 1 Ml! tl Mi. OUR LOWEST RATE EVER! For One Month FREE Studies show cool computers run up to 28 faster and crash half as much while cool workers perform up to 1 8 better.

Get the cooling you need for at least $12,000 less than "permanent" air conditioning on site and running in 3 days or less. (Rentals available too.) We size and ship, YOU TRY IT RISK FREE FOR 30 DAYS. rsasnviwans oODDy namuton jr. and Casey Atwood finished 10th and 19th. Call 615-244-2663 for details and your FREE Buyers Guide includes the "Worry Free" Cooling Info Pack, BTU Calculator and more.

Commercial use only see www.portablecooling.com for restrictions -WF703A 41 BASED ON 15 YR. TERM AMOUNT I PAYMENT I TERM I RATE $75,000 $583.37 I Syr 4.75 $100,00 $777.83 15 yr 4.75 $125,000 $97129 15 yr 4.75 $150,000 $1166.751 15 yr 4-75X 50 Down Purchases No Income Qualifying Slow Credit Plans Home Improvements 30 year rate as low as 5.25 Baucoms sell the Rim to Gerleve By LARKY WOODY Staff Writer Highland Rim Speedway, which opened in 1962 and provided a start for some of the area's top race-car drivers, has new management Ronnie and Pat Baucom, who operated the track in Ridgetop in Sumner County for 14 years, sold it last weekend to Hendersonville's Larry Gerleve. "It brought a tear to my eye," Ronnie Baucom said yesterday. "I started racing at Highland Rim back when it opened, and since Pat and I have owned we it have put a lrvt rS irA xirrtrt intr it trtjrlr Rates subject to change SOUTHEASTERN Financial Inc. Your hair has two Which will you choose? HP 1 i i- jm- rwrwvm.

i I cj EHT5eQj Total Golf Liquidation June 27- July 4 rm IH falBCIIfHIDISE tron out of business gorf stores onrj mamiractureri de semi 01 Futurt 2 without PAI natural hair rtstoration Future 1 with PAI natural hair rtstoration has been part of my life for over 40 years." Tve wanted to buy the track for several years, and finally the situation was right," said Gerleve, 36, who owns an auto-repair business. "This is a track with a lot of his history and it fits a niche it offers drivers a place to race where they can afford it" Gerleve plans no changes in the track or its operation this season, "other than making a few cosmetic improvements." The quarter-mile track runs almost every Saturday night from early spring to mid-falL It has been a proving ground for drivers such as Bobby Hamilton and Casey Atwood who went on to Winston Cup. Baucom said last Saturday's races drew a capacity crowd of more than 5,000 fans, with more than 150 drivers entered in the various divisions. Despite Highland Rim's success, Baucom was relieved to sell the track. He and his wife have battled health problems in recent years.

"We wanted to travel and do some things we haven't had time to do in the past," Ronnie said. "For example, we're going to be in Las Vegas one weekend soon instead of here worrying about this Larry Woody covers auto racing tar The Tennessean. He can be reached at 259-801 9 or hwidytennessean.com. 95 PAI's unique DermaGraphix photo imaging system will allow you to see the future of your hair both with and without our natural hair transplantation process. DermaGraphix utilizes the same technology used by plastic surgeons to show patients how they will look following a facelift or other plastic surgery.

Synergy Business Park Gallatin Building Ant I qua $41 Golf Shirts If Stand Bags 1 1 ril LU LrtLVJrvUU Suite 247, 278 Franklin Rd. North America's Hair Restoration Experts Brentwood 615-376-6010 www.paihair.com BrMav Pkv Exit 11 1-40 KK xsa BrtwMn Brooks Bros A SamsonlM Call to make your appointment today 1.800-496-7225 1V OCK ON HANOI (SUBJECT TO m2i.