Sports digest
to Grade A Plus
The Hawk Eye
The Burlington Bees and the Midwest League are proud to support Red Ribbon Week and the overall work of Grade A Plus with a $558 contribution. Grade A Plus Director Michelle Williams was at Community Field Wednesday to accept the money.
The money for this contribution was made available through the Midwest League office. At the end of each season, the MWL office takes all of the fine money it collected from players and coaches during the year for violations of the on-field behavioral policy and divides it evenly among its 14 teams.
Each team then has the opportunity to give that money to a local non-profit organization in its own community. Fines are collected each time a player, manager, or coach is ejected from a Midwest League game for any reason.
“On behalf of our staff and the Midwest League, we’re proud to make this contribution to Grade A Plus,” Bees General Manager Chuck Brockett said. “The volunteers for Grade A Plus provide a valuable service to our community and we want to help them continue to make a positive impact on the kids and families in the area that make up such an important part of our fan base.
“I’d like to thank the Midwest League for continuing this terrific program and giving us the money in time to make this contribution as part of the Red Ribbon Week festivities.”
“On behalf of the coalition of Grade A Plus, we are very grateful to the Burlington Bees for this contribution,” Williams said. “We appreciate the dedication of the Bees management, staff, and players to create a healthy community and healthy youth.”
The Midwest League established this program seven years ago and since its inception, each team has been able to contribute nearly $6,500 to groups in their community. In addition to Grade A Plus, the Bees have also contributed to the Special Olympics, the YMCA Youth Sports programs, the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, Younghouse Family Services, Hope Haven, Alcohol %26amp; Drug Dependency Services (ADDS), and the American Cancer Society.
Buck O’Neil honored by Hall of Fame
The Associated Press
BOSTON — One of the game’s most beloved ambassadors, Buck O’Neil was posthumously honored Wednesday by the Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award named in his memory.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was on hand for the announcement at Fenway Park before the World Series opener between Colorado and Boston.
O’Neil, a Negro Leagues star and the first black coach in the majors, fell two votes shy of induction into the Hall of Fame during a special election in February 2006. He died last October at age 94.
A statue of O’Neil will be erected inside the museum, and the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to a worthy recipient no more than every three years.
“His impact on the game has been enormous,” Selig said. “He’s now in Cooperstown where he belongs.”
Leftwich undergoes surgery on ankle
The Associated Press
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Byron Leftwich underwent surgery on his right ankle Wednesday and will be out three to four weeks.
In his first game as the Falcons starter, Leftwich sustained a high ankle sprain against New Orleans on Sunday.
The surgical procedure will help speed the recovery process, coach Bobby Petrino said.
“He had a procedure done this morning that is a very aggressive procedure,” Petrino said after practice. “They actually go in and put a couple screws in there and it helps it heal faster.”
Offensive tackle Todd Weiner underwent the same procedure a couple of weeks ago.
Tags: majors, ups