The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 28

Home News tribune TUESDAY, AUGUST 16,2005 rr- QUOTABLE "Today is a new beginning for me and my family. There 's no way I can change what happened in the past, but I'm going to do what I can to make sure my career and my life aren 't defined by what happened on March 8, but rather by what I did before and, most importantly, what I do after. Todd Bertuzzi who broke his silence nearly a year-and-a-halt after his bllndside punch to the head of Steve Moore left the Colorado forward with injuries that could be career-ending. Bertuzzi had his suspension lifted last week and is participating In an orientation camp for the Canadian Olympic team. ON THIS DATE 1354 The first Sports Illustrated is issued, costing 25 cents.

The magazine cover features a game at Milwaukee's County Stadium. Eddie Mathews of Braves was swinging, with Wes Westrum catching and Augie Dona-telli umpiring. 1992 Nick Price holds off a comeback bid by Nick Faldo with a 1-under-par 70 in the final round and captures his first major title with a three-stroke victory in the PGA national championship. 1998 Jeff Gordon becomes the seventh driver in modern NASCAR history to win four straight races, rallying from far back to take the Pepsi 400. 2DAY 8-16-05 SPORTS ON TV RUTGERS FOOTBALL SPORTSWIRE I PAGE C2 www.thnt.com BASEBALL osier Hied taf on nam 7:10 p.m.

(MSG) Pittsburgh at Mets (YES) Yankees at Tampa Bay 8 p.m. (WGN) Chicago Cubs at Houston TENNIS 3 p.ra., 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2) ATP TourUS Open Series, Western Southern Financial Group Masters, early round LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL 7 p.m. (ESPN2) World Senes, semifinal 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) World Series, semifinal 7-Day Planner Your guide to sports events involving area teams: TV listings subject to change) scrimmage this morning.

The timing couldn't be better. "This week (with two scrimmages) some things are going to shake out," coach Greg Schi-ano said. "And if not this week, next week." Asked what in particular he would look for today, Schiano said, "The experienced guys 4 and how they 1 By PAUL FRANKLIN STAFF WRITER Willie Foster is only 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, but his contributions to the Rutgers football team are immeasurable. Foster, a junior out of Miami Central High School, returns punts and kickoffs and is good enough to be a starting wide receiver on the Division I level. If not for Rutgers teammates Tres Moses and Shawn Tucker, he would be.

Til play a lot," he said yesterday, peddling a stationary bike after the morning session of doubles. "The RUTGERS THOUGHTS Are you a fan football team? the Scarlet a bowl game Let us know are and coach season. If we we special season next month. hnsportsthrrt.com comments and sure to give us and a telephone can use to of Rutgers' Do you think Knights can get to this season? what your expectations for Rutgers Greg Schiano this like your response, may use it in our preview section E-mail us at with your thoughts. Be your name number we confirm your way we rotate, I'll have my chances." With good hands and under 4.3 speed, he has shown his shake and bake moves on end arounds and pass plays.

He scored a touchdown last year on a pass play, one of 11 receptions, and also returned a kick-off 80 yards for a TD. He could emerge as yet another weapon in an offense that already has plenty. "Kick returners have to have a sense of where they're going," Foster said. "You can't be afraid. When I'm out there I don't hear nobody.

All I hear is myself thinking. And then it's all instinct. "Returning a kick is exciting. A game can turn on a big play like that. It's -more exciting than catching a touchdown pass.

Once I get past everyone," he noted, "I know no one is going to catch me." That goes for pass catching as well. LETS PLAY BALL The Scarlet Knights were scheduled to TUESDAY AUGUST It BASEBALL Yankees at Devil Rays 7:15 YES Pirates at Mets 7:10 MSG Thunoer at Reading 7:05 Pmnots at Camden iDH! Noon WNBA asnrDn at uOFT) 7:30 MSG WJXSMt AiJttSTW USliiil 2res a 7:15 YES tnsssves 7:10 MSG eaong 7:05 3135 at Cancer 6:35 IMXSMt AuCtisfTt BASEBALL PraasatMes 7:10 WPIX ThuTOeratReaoing 7:05 Paras at Catron 6:35 fot August 19 BASEBALL Yaniiees at White Sox 8:05 WVY0R Natotias at Mets 7:10 FSNY Thunder at Bmgnamton 7:00 Nashua at Patriots 7:05 NFL PRESEASON Minnesota at Jets 8:00 Ch. 2 COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER Seton Hall vs. La Salle lexh.) TBA SATURDAY AUGUST 20 BASEBALL Yankees at White Sox 1:20 FOX Nationals at Mets 7:10 WPIX Thunoer at Binghamton 7:00 Nashua at Patriots 7:05 NFL PRESEASON Carolina at Giants 8:00 Ch. 4 WNBA Liberty at Connecticut 6:00 ESPN2 COLLEGE MEN'S SOCCER Monmouth at Seton Hail (exti.) 10 am SUNDAY AUGUST 21 BASEBALL Yankees at White Sox 3:05 YES Nationals at Mets 1:10 WPIX Thunder at Binghamton 1:30 Nashua at P3tnots 1:35 MLS ChivasUSAatMetroSers 6:00 MSG MONDAY AUGUST 22 BASEBALL Hue Jays at Yankees 7:05 YES Mets at aamonrJhacks 9:40 FSNY Ttiunoer at Portland 7:00 Lancaster at Patriots 7:05 COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER Seton Hai at Lafayette (exh.) 1:00 HOCKEY Rangers re-sign Poti The Rangers re-signed Tom Poti yesterday, inking the defense-man to a deal that will pay him $2,356 million this season.

The 28-year-old Poti didn't play anywhere last season during the NHL lockout. In 2003-04, he had 10 goals and 14 assists in 67 games with the Rangers. His 24 points ranked second among New York's defensemen. During the 2002-03 season, Poti had 1 1 goals and 37 assists tying for seventh among NHL defensemen with a career-best 48 points. He also played in his first NHL All-Star game.

The Rangers also agreed to terms with defenseman Steven Maclntyre, who spent last season with Hartford of the AHL and Charlotte of the ECHL SOCCER Reyna ready for Trinidad After missing the last two World Cup qualifiers for the United States, captain Claudio Reyna returned over the weekend for Wednesday night's game against Trinidad and Tobago. The United States (4-1) has 12 points in the final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, one point behind first-place Mexico (4-0-1) at the halfway mark, and with a win over Trinidad and Tobago would move to the brink of qualifying for its fifth straight World Cup. Reyna, a 32-year-old midfielder, captained Manchester City in its 0-0 tie Saturday against West Bromwich Albion in its English Premier League opener, then arrived in Connecticut on Sunday. Seven of the nine Europe-based players on the Americans' 19-man roster appeared for their clubs last weekend. Reyna had skipped June qualifying victories over Costa Rica and Panama plus last month's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The United States (4-1) is five points ahead of Costa Rica (2-2-1) and can clinch no worse than fourth place with a win. COLLEGE Carnesecca testifies Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca testified yesterday in a dispute over whether the NCAA has tried to hurt the National Invitation Tournaments, drawing laughter from jurors and lawyers on both sides. The gravel-voiced longtime St. John's coach recalled that there was a choice in the 1960s whether to go to the NCAA tournament or the NIT. He said that option was gone by the 1980s.

"That choice was not there at all," he testified before a civil jury in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where five New York schools that sponsor the NIT have accused the NCAA of antitrust violations. TEKFi'S Roddick advances Andy Roddick had one minor concern an erratic serve as he advanced in the $2.45 million Cincinnati Masters. Andre Agassi dropped out with a lot more on his mind. Roddick struggled with his serve yesterday, but was solid in every other aspect of a rejuvenating 6-3, 6-4 win over Jurgen Metzer.

A week earlier, Roddick was out of sorts during a first-round loss in Montreal, complaining about the brand of ball used for Masters events. Agassi, 35, hopes that his back will come around after two weeks away from competitive tennis, leaving him healthy for the U.S. Open. An irritated nerve forced him to drop out of the Cincinnati tournament that he won last year. Two seeded players lost in the first round yesterday No.

14 Ivan Ljubicic and No. 15 Radek Stepanek. Japan's Ai Sugiyama advanced to the second round of the Rogers Cup yesterday, beating Croatia's Jelena Kostanic 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. Sigiyama became the 17th seed when top-seeded Maria Sha-rapova withdrew Sunday. Also yesterday, 16th-seeded Tatiana Colo-vin of France beat Croatia's Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-4, Laura Granville routed Italy's Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-1, and Japan's Shinobu Asagoe defeated Canada's Alek-tandra Wozniak 6-2, 6-2.

is ALEXANDRA PAISStaff photographer Willie Foster takes part in sprints during yesterday's practice. The speedster from Florida is one of Rutgers' threats on punt and kickoff returns. Houston avoids cut lead and keep their poise. And for the younger guys, how they per-formwithout the coaches out there." He will also see who is in 'game' shape. There will be a 25-second clock.

Field goal and extra points will be rehearsed without obstruction, and there will be kickoffs, although no live coverage. Particular attention will be paid to competition at tailback, center and linebacker, and the possibility that a newcomer might have to step in at safety for Ron Girault. The sophomore leader of the defensive backs has a hamstring pull that Schiano said, "is starting to concern me," adding about that position, "It's up for grabs." MISSING IN ACTION: Defensive tackle Luis Rivas is still out with foot injury. "It's slowly getting better," Schiano said. Freshman Robert Baham, who probably would have been in the mix at defensive back, may have a hip problem that could keep him out for the season.

"I'm not encouraged," Schiano said. COUNTDOWN: Only 18 days un-tilt he season kicks off at Illinois, Sept. 3. First home game is 25 days away, vs. Villanova.

Paul Franklin: paulfthnt.com NBA AMNESTY DAY Several teams made moves to clear tax obligations for players who left their rosters long ago. They included Alonzo Mourning (Toronto), Vin Baker (Boston), Derrick Coleman (Detroit), Wesley Person (Miami), Eddie Robinson (Chicago) and Howard Eisley (Phoenix). Players previously released under the amnesty program included Doug Christie (Orlando), Aaron McKie (Philadelphia), Brian Grant (Los Angeles Lakers) and Derek Anderson (Portland). Teams whose payrolls exceed $61.7 million for the upcoming season will have to pay a dollar-for-dollar tax on the overage. Among them are the Indiana Pacers, who waived retired guard Reggie Miller to save $6 million in luxury tax costs.

"In my conversations with Reggie, it is clear he will not play next year, and therefore to take advantage of the amnesty rule, we designated Reggie as our amnesty player," Pacers president Donnie Walsh said. "I've spoken with Reggie, and he is fine with it. This will go down as his final assist" LEGION From Page Cl home plate umpire called Affi-nito out at the plate. When Fre-dricks protested the call, it was explained to him that the home plate umpire overruled the first base umpire's foul call. Even after the game was over, Fredricks couldn't justify or understand what had happened.

"(The first base umpire) called it foul," Fredricks said, "And once you do that, the play is dead. To have another umpire step in, without even an appeal even being made by the Jerome Williams Cut by Knicks Grant, for example, will receive $14.3 million from the Lakers in 200506 and $15.4 million in 2006-07 in addition to the money he receives from the Phoenix Suns, who were planning to sign him Tuesday. Under the "tax certainty" provisions of the new labor deal, the luxury tax will be assessed each season against teams that exceed a certain payroll threshold. Under the old rules, teams did not know until a season had ended whether a luxury tax would be applied for the previous season. later said.

"I couldn't believe it." Another lengthy on-field protest by Fredricks fell on deaf ears after the play. "It would have been real easy to act in a non-professional manner at that point," Fredricks said. "We were in it until the last pitch." Eric Hines wound up throwing a complete game for Mill-town, going eight innings and allowing 10 runs off 13 hits. Leading the offense were Anderson (4-for-6, three runs, two doubles) and Drew Silver (4-for-5, three RBI, run), as Affi-nito hit his fifth home run of the tournament to lead off the third inning. Milltown never led, despite battling back from deficits of 5-1 and 8-4.

UNIVERSITY GAMES Pondexter helps U.S. top Poland THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Izmir, Turkey The undefeated U.S. women's basketball team overcame a slow start to beat Poland 89-63 yesterday, earning a quarterfinal spot at the University Games against Taiwan. Rutgers' Cappie Pondexter, who will be a fifth-year senior on the Scarlet Knight squad this fall, contributed eight points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal against Poland. Megan Duffy scored 13 points and Seimone Augustus added 12 for the Americans (4-0), who led by three points at halftime and trailed in the third quarter before rallying.

by Knicks The Knicks had been expected to waive Houston, who played only 20 games last season due to chronic knee soreness. But Houston's close ties with Knicks owner James Dolan of Cablevision, along with incoming coach Larry Brown's history of coaching Houston with the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, helped factor into the decision for him to remain on the roster. Also, the Knicks could get luxury tax and salary cap relief while also having Houston's salary paid by insurance if his knee injury prevents him from returning. "I was prepared for (being waived)," Houston said.

"You have to be. The team has made changes already in preparation for me not being there, and I understand that. But I still believe I can play." The one-time amnesty option was part of the six-year collective bargaining agreement agreed to earlier this summer by the league and the players' union. Under terms of the rule, players who were waived will still be paid by their former teams and cannot re-sign with them until their current contracts have expired. other team I still don't know how that happened." The final questionable call ended the game.

Anderson came up to bat in the top of the ninth inning representing the tying run, with runners on first and second and two outs. After two quick strikes a ball and a foul Anderson lined up for the next pitch, which buzzed past his front ankle, causing him to jump back. It was called a third strike. The roar of anger from the Milltown dugout and stands drowned out the Brooklawn celebration, as Anderson threw his helmet in disgust and stormed off the field "That ball was off the plate and on my ankles," Anderson THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK The sc-called "Allan Houston Rule" failed to claim its namesake yesterday. Houston avoided being cut by the New York Knicks on the final day for NBA teams to take advantage of a one-time chance to escape luxury tax obligations for any contract on their books.

Rather than saving almost $40 million, New York opted instead to release forward Jerome Williams to avoid $21.3 million in luxury taxes that would have been due over the next three seasons. Dallas was working into the night trying to find a trade for Michael Finley, who is owed $51.8 million over the next three seasons. If a taker couldn't be found, the Mavericks were expected to release the 10-year veteran. In all, teams saved $154.5 million in future tax payments by waiving 16 players. Among those let go Monday were Fred Hoiberg of Minnesota, Ron Mercer of New Jersey, Calvin Booth of Milwaukee and Troy Bell of Memphis.

AUGUSTO F. EN EZES Staff photograph iriiffaitViiiiirArfh rlfiiiiirtffTuri Anderson and Affinito emerged as the top two threats in the Milltown lineup for the tournament by playing with contrasting styles. Anderson, batting .520 (13-for-25) over the five games, scored 12 runs. Meanwhile, Affinito hit for power, collecting five home runs, two doubles, a triple and 14 RBI, while hitting .360. Nine of the 18 players on the rosters are slated to return next season.

But Fredricks isn't sure if he'll ever see a lineup like this one again. "These guys all grew into complete baseball players this year," he said. "I said all along, even if we don't win, we want to make other teams nervous. 'And there were a lot of nervous people out here today." Milltown pitcher Eric Hines bobbles the pickup on a bunt in the third inning of yesterday's game against Brooklawn. Hines got the force at first for the final out of the inning.

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