PORTLAND – Portland Sea Dogs’ right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Additionally right-handed pitcher Chris Smith has rejoined the Sea Dogs from Pawtucket. The Red Sox also released Sea Dogs’ first baseman Eric Crozier. Buchholz, the Red Sox top pitching prospect,… Read More
Justin Masterson wasted no time justifying his promotion from the Single-A Lancaster Jethawks to Double-A and the Portland Sea Dogs. The Boston Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June got off to a great start in July as well as he flirted… Read More
Tonight, the 78th baseball All-Star game will be played in San Francisco, which will mark the very first at AT&T Park, which opened in 2000. The first All-Star game was played July 6, 1933, at Comiskey Park in Chicago. According to the Baseball Almanac, it… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine field hockey team has received eight commitments for the 2007 season, including one from Miss Maine Field Hockey Kallie Aldus of Belfast, the school announced Monday. Aldus will be joined by Lions teammate Britt Cummings as well as Skowhegan… Read More
Wayne Newenham has known for several months he was going to coach the Sumner girls basketball coach in his second stint with the Tigers of East Sullivan. What he found out two weeks ago was that he was also going to be coaching the Sumner… Read More
SAO PAOLO, Brazil – Boothbay’s Lauren Forgues nearly won the 10,000-meter racewalk at the Junior Pan American Games but settled for silver in the end. Forgues, a University of Maine sophomore, crossed the finish line second behind Ingrid Hernandez of Colombia, who was disqualified. The… Read More
It was an unfortunate incident that nobody could remember witnessing. Home plate umpire Brian Currie walked off the field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and a 3-2 count on the Hampden American Legion baseball team’s Tim Kenerson. Brewer was leading… Read More
“After all, it is a heady thing for an eighth-grade student to be contacted directly by a coach and invited to join a high school sports team. In too many cases, the invitation will come accompanied with a suggestion, subtle or otherwise, that failure to accept will hurt… Read More
Now that summer’s here I’m thinking about one thing, getting out and hiking trails. If there’s a better way to embrace the season, I haven’t found it. With that thought in mind, last weekend I loaded the truck with every piece of backpacking, day hiking and car camping… Read More
My mother, Therese, has evolved into a consummate sports fan. While this revelation became startlingly clear several weeks ago, its origin has been more difficult to track. It may have occurred with the steady decline of good TV shows over the years. Or it may… Read More
KENDUSKEAG – Since Jim and Sandra Poole first looked at it, the former Kenduskeag Valley Golf Course has been about change. Four years later, the changes at the now-named Kenduskeag Golf and Country Club keep on coming. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Ben Poland has paid his dues, and been rewarded with his first varsity soccer coaching job. The five-year Hermon High boys junior varsity coach was named last week to be the girls varsity coach. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Two years ago, Busch East was struggling. The expense of running a Busch East car and the paltry payouts were keeping car counts in the low 20s. The life support system that kept the auto racing series alive was NASCAR. It was a NASCAR-sanctioned series… Read More
Boston Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge laid his cards on the table Thursday night in Boston following his team’s draft and trade selections. “They have no excuses, this team out there,” he said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
LOUDON, N.H. – Mike Helton, president of NASCAR since 2000, said he has been “pretty pleased” with the 2007 season. “The introduction of the Car of Tomorrow is going well. It’s doing what we hoped for it to do,” said Helton. “It’ll still take some… Read More
Brother won 95 race without assistance Just like any other article of controversy, the Speedway 95 Super Street story (BDN, June 25) has two sides. My side was not published and it really bothered me. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
LOUDON, N.H. – Biddeford’s Richard “Slugger” Labbe always enjoys racing at New Hampshire International Speedway. That’s because, for all intents and purposes, it’s home. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
There’s just something not right about these numbers, and American League teams may yet pay a price when the results finally align with the numbers. The Yankees continue to trail the Sox by double digits and it is highly unlikely they will catch Boston no… Read More
LOUDON, N.H. – Marcos Ambrose is making an impact as a rookie in the Busch series. He is eighth in points thanks to three top-10 finishes in 18 races. He is also the only Australian driver in the series. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
LOUDON, N.H. – Nextel Cup star driver Kyle Busch will travel to All-Star Speedway in Epping, N.H., tonight for a 200-lap Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model race. He has run the last two TD Banknorth Oxford 250s but will pass on it… Read More
One Vine Lady is calling it a career after eight years in the racing business. Business has been pretty good for the 10-year-old standardbred mare that has literally been the standard bearer for the University of Maine equine studies and farming programs, but the decision… Read More
I’ve seen the Penobscot Narrows Bridge now from my vehicle, by foot, from high above and way down below at water level, by day and by night, and I think it’s one awesome piece of work. Saturday evening I paddled under it after watching a… Read More
Andrew Libby spent part of Wednesday learning about global positioning systems and doing a bit of map and compass work. But it was the things he accomplished while not officially learning that caught the attention of counselors at Maine’s Youth Fish & Game Association’s second… Read More
The summer months are a perfect time to take relaxing vacations, but the summer months also provide plenty of opportunities for children and adults to take outdoor safety courses that are in many cases mandated by the state. Here’s a list of some safety courses… Read More
A small group of eider ducks dove and preened amidst the activity surrounding the pier. People cast fishing lines, walkers and joggers came and went; everyone seemed to be oblivious to the activities of the three adult female ducks and their cr?che of five ducklings. Read More
Think about cooking a thick, juicy steak on the grill on the Fourth of July, then having young and impish Chuckie notice a fly hovering nearby and address the issue by coating the steak with the spray of bug repellent. The steak still looks good,… Read More
As a native of the Saint John Valley, Andrew Clavette appreciates the love of basketball in the region. As the new boys varsity basketball coach at Fort Kent Community High School, he hopes to build upon it. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Former Bangor High School soccer and hockey star Dylan George said he watched a lot of University of Maine soccer games growing up. Next fall, he will be playing against the Black Bears. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
When the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission meets in Augusta today, chances are pretty good they’ll take another step toward reopening the Penobscot River to fishing. In front of the commission is a rule-making proposal to create a permanent fall fishing season that would run from… Read More
With so many new road races popping up nowadays, it can be easy to forget the small-town favorites that have been around for decades. For the last 31 years, runners from all over have ventured to Bucksport on the last weekend of June for a… Read More
Spud Speedway in Caribou will open for racing at 1 p.m. July 15 after a practice scheduled for the previous day. Newburgh’s Greg Veinote, who with his wife Becky recently purchased the track from Ralph and Nancy Nason of Unity, announced the opening date Wednesday. Read More
The way Clay Buchholz looks at it, the biggest mistake of his life has also been one of his biggest breaks. The Portland Sea Dogs ace starter has become one of the top three prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization, but if not for… Read More
If you see a defensive tackle chuckling at the line of scrimmage, he is probably lined up across from Husson College offensive tackle Louis Avent. That’s because Avent is a part-time comedian who hopes to pursue it full time after he graduates next spring. Avent… Read More
Monday afternoon, Bob Curtis of Bangor walked into the pro shop at Bangor Municipal Golf Course and signed up to be a sponsor for this year’s 41st and final Greater Bangor Open presented by Hollywood Slots at Bangor. Curtis, a 46-year-old involved in property management,… Read More
Yes, Rita Sullivan knows she has limited experience as a basketball coach. The former Bangor High and University of Maine player spent the first half of the 1995-96 season as a student assistant and coached a season of high school ball at Bangor. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – Zeke Bischoff of Bangor bowled his second career 300 game during Tuesday’s Mixed Couples League at Family Fun Lanes. Bischoff, 47, bowled a 728 series with a 196 in the first string followed by a 232 and the 300. He bowled an 856 series two weeks… Read More
Hall of Fame inductions are becoming common within the Kelly family. One year after older brother John Kelly was inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame, former Camden Hills of Rockport wrestler and coach Patrick Kelly will be inducted during ceremonies Aug. Read More
Outboard motors are terrific tools, and before I malign mine, I want you to pay particular attention those first five words, and the fact that I really, truly appreciate everything my motor has ever done for me. Like stranding me on Beech Hill Pond, forcing… Read More
Thoughts today turn to golf, a game I’ve missed playing since that night in 1988 when I fell down a flight of outdoor stairs on Essex Street. Since that fateful March night, I haven’t touched a club. I did, however, get in a couple of… Read More
Narraguagus of Harrington earning a spot in the Eastern Maine Class C quarterfinals was as exciting for then assistant coach Chris Burke as it was for the Knights. Burke, a 1988 Narraguagus graduate and small forward for Knights teams of the mid-1980s, never got to… Read More
SAN FRANCISCO – Mark Sweeney of San Francisco Giants got his 145th pinch hit in the sixth inning of Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees. The former University of Maine All-American tied Smokey Burgess for third place on the career list. Read More
PORTLAND – The Portland Sea Dogs on Sunday promoted left-handed pitcher Hunter Jones from Class A Lancaster of the California League. The spot was open for Jones after outfielder Bryan Pritz was promoted Friday night to Triple-A Pawtucket (R.I). googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Here in Maine, we often tell each other, there’s really nothing to worry about in our vast outdoor playground. Poisonous snakes and spiders aren’t lurking in the grass, waiting to chomp on us. Tornadoes are extremely rare. Grizzly bears don’t live here. And neither do… Read More
The countdown goes on and he can’t wait for the day to get here. Tony Gwynn stands behind the batting cage and looks out at the countdown sign in the Padres’ home park as it ticks off the days until San Diego’s former star will be inducted into… Read More
University of Maine men’s ice hockey coach Tim Whitehead announced Friday that he has received National Letters of Intent from Jeff Dimmen and Lem Randell to attend the University in the fall of 2007. “We are pleased to announce the addition of these two student-athletes… Read More
Perhaps you saw Wednesday’s story on Page 2 describing what children’s advocates, environmentalists, business executives and political leaders describe as a generation of “indoor children disconnected from nature.” If not, it’s worth going back and taking a look. As a child in the 1950s I… Read More
During each week after my Saturday column appears on these pages, I receive a number of e-mails, letters and even phone calls from faithful readers across the state and country. Plenty of personal interactions and conversations with friends and neighbors regarding my articles occur regularly as well. At… Read More
During a visit to Willard Beach in South Portland recently, I was delighted to see several common eider ducks and double-crested cormorants as they dove for food among the small boats tethered in the cove. A special treat, however, was the sight of a black-crowned night heron flying… Read More
The knowledge and perception of history is one of the great demarcations separating the generations, even in the sports world. Take Cindy Blodgett. You can be fairly young and still remember the impact the record-setting guard had on Maine schoolgirl basketball and on University of… Read More
BANGOR – When Abby C trotted across the finish line in record time at Bangor Raceway Sunday, she brought smiles to lots of faces, but not just those with a direct rooting interest. Sure, the 6-year-old mare’s owner, trainer and driver were jubilant, but there… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Fire Fighters Union will hold its annual baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Alumni 7 p.m. Saturday at Mansfield Stadium. Appearing for the Boston Red Sox Alumni will be: Bill “The Spaceman” Lee, Jim Corsi, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, Ken Ryan, Rick Miller,… Read More
The Orono American Legion baseball team returned to Mahaney Diamond at the University of Maine for the first time in nearly two decades Tuesday night. And while the result wasn’t what the Twins wanted – an 8-5 loss to Bangor in their 2007 Zone 1… Read More
Sir Roger Bannister. Jim Ryun. Steve Prefontaine. Matt Lane. Pat Tarpy. What do they all have in common? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++)… Read More
Normally at this time of year, Bob Marquis would be preparing for summer basketball camp. But these are more relaxed times for the veteran coach, teacher and administrator, who recently retired after a 30-year career in education, 29 at East Millinocket schools. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
It took the four finalists for the 2007 Dr. John Winkin Award symbolic of the year’s Mr. Baseball to have a unified impact on the Monday’s Maine-New Hampshire Senior All-Star Game at Hadlock Field in Portland. With two outs and a runner on first in… Read More
University of Maine sports radio broadcasts may be changing stations, but the radio play-by-play and color voices for football and ice hockey games will stay the same. Rich Kimball and Bob Lucy will continue to broadcast UMaine football games, while Dan Hannigan and Larry Mahoney… Read More
This isn’t the kind of season Tip Fairchild had in mind. The Lewiston native and Monmouth Academy graduate was well on his way up the Houston Astros’ minor league baseball ladder. The way Fairchild had it figured, if he kept progressing as he has the… Read More
If not for a single midwinter slip, Jim Rolph wouldn’t have been on the East Outlet of the Kennebec River on Sunday, learning to fly fish under the tutelage of one of Maine’s top guides. That’s Rolph’s story, at least. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. And so we will. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if… Read More
Young and dangerous. That’s how Russell “Rusty” Worcester Jr. has described his Georges Valley softball team this year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++)… Read More
UM’s Wren, Graham shared lifelong lessons in pool I read recently that Jeff Wren of the University of Maine swim program is considering retirement. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
PORTLAND – Yarmouth High School graduate Pat Tarpy on Sunday became the first Maine runner to run a sub-four-minute mile on Maine soil. He won the KeyBank New England Mile in 3 minutes, 54.8 seconds, beating the course record of 4:05 set last year by Milford native Dereck… Read More
BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Bangor native Marcus Davis won his ninth straight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout Saturday with a first-round knockout of England’s Jason Tan at Odyssey Arena. Davis made short work of Tan, nailing him with a right to the chin and adding… Read More
CHICAGO – David Slovenski of Brunswick and Chelsey Tewell of York have been named Gatorade Maine Boys and Girls Track and Field Athletes of the Year. This spring, Slovenski became the first Maine high school athlete to clear 15 feet in the pole vault. He… Read More
Anglers hoping for the revival of a traditional spring Atlantic salmon season received a bit of encouragement – and a stern warning -Wednesday during a meeting held in Holden. Dick Ruhlin, a commissioner of the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, told the crowd the ASC was… Read More
Greetings from the College World Series in Omaha. Here a couple of notes on some of what goes on here as I work for ESPN providing the television coverage. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
The University of Maine men’s ice hockey schedule for the 2007-08 season has been finalized and the Black Bears will start off on the road for a two-game series against 2004 and 2005 national champion Denver Oct. 12-13. The Bears will have their first home… Read More
A couple of weeks ago when I actually had to lean my knee on the lid of my bass-fishing tackle box, and use both hands along with several colorful epitaphs to get both latches secured, I knew the time had come for a bigger, better bass box. My… Read More
Woah! Summer’s here Thursday! Can you believe it? Seems like we’ve been waiting for spring for an eternity and now it’s here. I’ve gotta get some plans together or else it’ll be fall and I won’t have taken the banking off the cellar windows or stained the deck. Read More
In previous years, a few of you may remember me writing about a pair of merlins I had the privilege to watch hatch and raise a family. Then one spring, their nest – which appeared flimsy to begin with – was finally blown apart by a strong wind… Read More
AUGUSTA – In response to a spate of lightning-caused wildfires in the Canadian province of Quebec, Maine and New Hampshire have mobilized firefighting crews to assist in control efforts. The Maine Department of Conservation’s Maine Forest Service dispatched eight forest rangers and one forester to… Read More
For the first time this year – and likely ever – a Maine harness racing track saw its entire Sunday race card turn in winning times under 2 minutes. “I couldn’t believe it,” said Mike Hitchcock, Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association director. “I’ve never seen it… Read More
These are days for crowning achievements at high schools everywhere. Graduation has sent thousands of young Mainers off to the real world, or at least the next stage of their formative years, complete with memories galore. But these are days when diamonds are forever, too,… Read More
Last weekend was a memorable one for Corey Williams of Boothbay Harbor. Williams is employed by the Andy Santerre Motorsports team and was in Stafford Springs, Conn., last Friday night working on Jeffrey Earnhardt’s car during a Busch East race. Earnhardt started 20th but finished… Read More
Less than 72 hours after the high school baseball season concludes, the American Legion Zone 1 campaign will be in full swing. Five games are on Tuesday’s opening-night schedule, one involving the zone’s newest team as Motor City of Bangor will host the defending zone… Read More
After months (or in many cases, years) of waiting for the opportunity to go on a hunt of a lifetime, today is your lucky day. Maybe. Hundreds of spectators will flock to Phippsburg this evening for the latest installment of what has become a Maine… Read More
The Black Bear Radio Network has welcomed a Portland all-sports station to the fold, but the still-uncertain status of one of its primary members could still shake things up a bit. Portland’s WLOB (1310 AM) has signed on to do University of Maine football and… Read More
Next weekend in Glenburn, local runners not only will have a chance to lower their personal-best times at the 5-kilometer distance – and raise some money for local youths. Bangor High School running coach Ray Cooke will be putting on the third Glenburn 5K race… Read More
The North Atlantic Conference has approved the addition of two schools starting with the 2008-09 school year. Green Mountain College and Lyndon State College, both of which are located in Vermont, were recently unanimously approved for membership by the NAC Presidents’ Council and Council of… Read More
Jack Bicknell Jr. is home. The former Orono High School football star, a three-year letterman at Boston College, is looking forward to his new challenge as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at BC. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
PORT JEFFERSON, N.Y. – The America East Conference honored its top team and individual accomplishments at the annual awards dinner at Port Jefferson Country Club. For the first time, two member institutions shared the America East Academic Cup. Maine and Vermont saw their student-athletes maintain a 3.07 grade… Read More
INDIANAPOLIS – Rick Carlisle told the Indiana Pacers he will not return as the team’s executive vice president. Carlisle was fired in April after four tumultuous years as Indiana’s coach. The team offered him the option of returning as vice president, a title he was… Read More
BANGOR – Zeke Bischoff of Bangor rolled an Eastern Maine U.S. Bowling Congress-record 856 series in the mixed couples league at Family Fun Lanes on Tuesday night. Bischoff, 47, posted games of 299, 277, and 280 for his total, which bettered the old association mark,… Read More
BANGOR – Brian Enman, the head pro at Bangor Municipal Golf Course, feels like he’s in the vanguard of a movement designed to accommodate golfers with disabilities. “I think we’re the only club in the state that owns a wheelchair golf cart,” said Enman. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
A youthful Fort Fairfield boys basketball team barely missed getting a taste of postseason action last winter, falling 0.5365 Heal Points short of earning the final preliminary-round berth in Eastern Maine Class D. Next winter a more experienced Tigers’ team will seek to break through… Read More
Defender Dave Burke and goalkeeper Nemanja Kostic are among four more players who have committed to play soccer at the University of Maine. Coach Paul Laughlin also announced the addition of midfielder/back Gurtej Dhillon and midfielder Adam Baxter to the program. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
While my Thursday jaunt on the Penobscot wasn’t too productive, anecdotal reports (and a recent drive-by check on one of the area’s most popular striped bass fishing spots) indicates that good times are indeed upon us … almost. The grassy park in South Brewer, home… Read More
I read the news today, oh boy. With apologies to John Lennon and the Beatles, it is the time of year again to discuss young people – who may be athletes or not – and the many pitfalls of consuming alcohol and driving drunk. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Former Schenck of East Millinocket basketball standout Rachel Larlee will take over as coach of the Foxcroft Academy girls basketball team next winter. Larlee, a 2000 Schenck and 2004 UMaine-Presque Isle graduate, who is currently teaching and coaching in the Milo school system, was one… Read More
Karlsson caseshows disparity of justice For those of us who follow current events and read our daily newspapers, we are cognizant of the disparity in the justice system which allows those with means one set of rules and the rest of us a different set,… Read More
CHAMPERY, Switzerland. – Adam Craig of Corinth and Bend, Ore., earned a top-10 finish Saturday at a International Cycling Union elite men’s cross country mountain biking race. Craig was timed in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 44 seconds for the 47.9-kilometer race to finish 10th… Read More
In my house, tucked away in a closet, there is a pile of videocassettes. On them are hundreds of hours of seemingly innocuous footage of Wiffle ball, hockey, soccer, football and baseball games. Those scenes can bring me to tears – especially today. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
There are some things in the sports life you had best heed, or you take the risk of a surprise if you don’t. “I had a plan and I shook Tek off, and I’ll think ‘What if’? for the rest of my life.” So said… Read More
One of the more decorated wrestlers in Maine high school history has received one more honor. Jeremiah Barkac, a senior at Dexter Regional High School, has been named a 2007 high school All-American by Wrestling USA magazine. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
To my way of thinking, there’s no style of angling more exciting than the stalk, spot and cast technique of catching gamefish. I’m not referring to the simpler approach of presenting a match-the-hatch dry fly to trout rising and feeding in fresh water, nor the routine of tossing… Read More
This could be a perfect place to fish, Dave Huntress told me as we motored slowly across the Penobscot River, fly rods at hand, flies attached, eyes peeled. “I told you this would be prospecting,” he said, offering up an unnecessary apology for the slow… Read More
Sometimes I wish I were a bit more organized and had more time to plan and execute outings. For the past six months, it seems, work has taken over my life, leaving precious little other time to get out and about – or even think much about it… Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, has introduced legislation with Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey to make striped bass a game fish rather than a commercial fish throughout its range. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Local youths will have a chance to find out firsthand what a career in harness racing, training or horse care is like as the Harness Horse Youth Camp returns to Bangor Raceway next month. The five-day camp is open to youths between the ages of… Read More
It’s easy to spend other people’s money. The government does it every day. Now it’s my turn, with an eye toward aiding Eastern Maine’s sporting community. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More