The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • D1

Ballpark surprise Casey Cares and UMPS CARE team up to help 7-year-old celebrate milestone PG 3 Using basketball U.S.E. Reunion gives girls career path PG 3 Sports IB RAVENS Rainy day and a triple play Options aplenty in return game Lots of competition, but impact of specialists might not be as big as in past By Edward Lee The Baltimore Sun Griff Whalen has spent time with five NFL teams since 2012. So it wasn't shocking to witness nine players returning lacks during a recent practice at the Ravens' training facility. But it did confirm that the team's search for a primary return specialist is wide open. "It's common to have a bunch of guys taking reps," said Whalen, a wide receiver who was signed by the team July 2L "The difference is that LLOYD FOXBALTIMORE SUN Triple their pleasure there's no designated starter.

So there's open competition for the starting position and the backup position. But that's not that unusual either. Some teams land of know who their returner is and others don't. So it's not that unusual. There are a lot of guys back there INSIDE: Ravens to host free-agent tackle Howard PG 6 Preseason opener REDSKINS RAVENS Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

The Orioles turned a triple play started by third baseman Manny Machado in the second inning but trailed the Tigers 7-3 in the fifth inning in a series opener twice delayed by rain Thurday night at Camden Yards. For coverage, go to baltimoresun.comorioles. 14 Triple plays turned by the Orioles in club history 6 5-4-3 triple plays during that time period 2 Triple plays by the O's this season, the second time they've turned more than one in a season and first since 73 taking reps. I think they just want to get eyes on as many guys as they can and see who they like as a fit." The Ravens have not had a featured returner since Jacoby Jones in 2014. Last season, Devin Hester the NFL's all-time leader in return touchdowns, played in 12 games before being released in favor of Michael Campanaro.

Campanaro, who finished the season as the primary punt returner, made his training camp debut Tuesday morning. He See RAVENS, page 6 Breaking new ground OF Rickard making big strides defensively, metrics show A healthy Perriman is essential but not just yet TIGERSORIOLES Tonight, 7:05 TV: MASN Radio: 105.7 FM By Jon Meoli The Baltimore Sun Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, is as good a venue as any to demonstrate how far Orioles outfielder Joey Rickard has advanced defensively since his rookie year and how the perception of him has changed. Last year at the Texas Rangers' ballpark, Rickard was playing left field and shaded toward center field when a high but typically catchable fly ball fell near the foul line, with just too much ground to cover from where he was set up. Last weekend, he was manning that same left-field spot and dived in the gap to take away extra bases and likely runs in the urn Orioles' 10-6 win Sunday. Rickard, the December 2015 Rule 5 draft pick who has settled into a platoon role this year, has made plays like that all season for the Orioles, who appear to have a legitimate corner outfield defender.

His defense is a big part of why the Orioles were so comfortable handing him his fifth straight start Thursday night against the Detroit Tigers as they try to manage life without slugger Mark See ORIOLES, page 5 he Ravens are keeping quiet about the availability of wide receiver Breshad Perriman. Maybe it's because his hamstring injury is more serious than expected or there is no need to rush him back onto the practice fields. It's probably the latter. PATRICK SEMANSKYASSOCIATED PRESS Second-year Oriole Joey Rickard, who made his fifth straight start Thursday night, has the third-best UZR150 among major league outfielders. Mike Preston THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Overseas Elite, Baltimore are the big winners Three-time champs hold off upstart Team Challenge ALS for 86-83 win in final Perriman, in his third season, is the X-factor of the offense in 2017.

Everything else about this unit is predictable. The Ravens have a solid running game, a below-average offensive line, an unhealthy group of tight ends and an injured quarterback who is good but not great. The top two receivers are set and they know what they're getting there, too. On one side is speedster Mike Wallace, who can turn a short pass into a big play. Then there is versatile veteran Jeremy Maclin, who can play inside or outside and become a possession-type receiver.

As for Perriman, he has no value at this time but he is an intriguing prospect. As of Thursday he missed his third straight practice with a hamstring injury. Before the injury Perriman was having a See PRESTON, page 7 While Overseas Elite came away with its third straight tournament tide and the $2 million holding off gutsy Team Challenge ALS, 86-83 the city of Baltimore also came away equally rewarded in proving a fine host for the event "For me, it's about the spirit of Baltimore, giving back," said Anthony, a former Towson Catholic star. "Yesterday, we had a "Day of Giving" where we went to a lot of communities and I got a medal from the mayor Catherine Pugh, so it's bringing positive attention and connecting with a lot of things. This right here is big not just for TBT but Baltimore." After the 64-team field was whittled to two, Thursday's tide game was the classic mismatch that went to the wire.

In winning, Overseas Elite remains perfect with a 19-0 record in its three tournament appearances. Beating Team Challenge ALS didn't come easy for the perennial champions. The underdog started fast, building a 13-point lead by the midpoint of the 18-minute first half before Overseas chipped away and took a 49-45 halftime lead on a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Paris Home. The game stayed tight throughout the second half, the champions always staying See BASKETBALL, page 3 By Glenn Graham The Baltimore Sun Baltimore native and NBA star Carmelo Anthony and a near-capacity crowd at Coppin State saw quality high-stakes basketball Thursday night a huge winner-take -all cash prize in the championship game of The Basketball Tournament at stake. SHINEDOWN.