Ravens hold off Browns as real officials return to field

BALTIMORE — The regular NFL officials returned to action, and the ending of their first game was eerily familiar to the one that hastened the exit of the replacement refs.

Decleated: Baltimore's Morgan Cox tackles Cleveland's Josh Cribbs on a kick return in the first quarter on Thursday night. The Ravens beat the Browns 23-16. AP

This time, however, there were no replays or arguments at the end. Just another win by the Baltimore Ravens over the Cleveland Browns, 23-16 on Thursday night.

If not for two failed desperation passes into the end zone in the closing seconds, the returning officials might have had to work overtime on their first night back.

Cleveland began its final drive with 1:05 to go on its own 10. Rookie Brandon Weeden moved the Browns to the Baltimore 33 before a fourth-down pass into the end zone fell incomplete. But a personal foul penalty on Baltimore linebacker Paul Kruger gave winless Cleveland one more chance.

That pass sailed out of the end zone.

"Too much juice," Weeden lamented.

The final sequence was not unlike the controversial ending of Monday night's Green Bay-Seattle game, when a Hail Mary pass was ruled a touchdown. That play, and the furor it created, hastened negotiations that brought the regular officials back.

The lockout ended late Wednesday, bringing about the exit of the unpopular replacement refs. And so, finally, the tenured officials were in place for Week 4.

"I felt so bad for that Green Bay situation," Ravens running back Ray Rice said. "Replacement refs, their families, I can't knock them. The scrutiny they were under. That kind of scrutiny is bad. It's hard going from like Pop Warner to the big leagues."

As they walked onto the field hours before this game, the officiating crew received a round of applause and shouts of encouragement from fans in the lower sections. Head linesman Wayne Mackie and line judge Jeff Seeman both tipped their caps to acknowledge the support.

Many in the sellout crowd of 70,944 stood and roared their approval.

Afterward, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh echoed the sentiment of the crowd.

"Welcome back to the officials. Good to have them back," he said. "These guys are really good. The communication was good. I didn't agree with every call, but they were excellent."

Joe Flacco went 28-for-46 for 356 yards, threw one touchdown and ran for another. Yet, it wasn't until Cary Williams returned an interception 63 yards for a score at the end of the third quarter that the Ravens (3-1) put some distance between themselves and the young Browns (0-4).

"I thought our secondary made plays that had to be made, especially at the end there when they were knocking at the door," Harbaugh said.

The fans waited until the third quarter to boo the officials. On a 13-yard completion from Weeden to Benjamin Watson, Ravens safety Bernard Pollard was called for a helmet-to-helmet hit. The crowd jeered the call, but replays appeared to confirm the penalty.

The 15-yard mark off set up a 51-yard field goal by Phil Dawson that got the Browns within 16-10.

Late in the quarter, Williams ambushed an out pattern by Travis Benjamin and took the interception down the right sideline for a 13-point lead.

Anquan Boldin caught nine passes for 131 yards, and Torrey Smith had six catches for 97 yards and a score.

Weeden went 25-for-52 for 320 yards, but rookie running back Trent Richardson gained only 47 yards rushing on 14 carries.

Dawson kicked field goals of 51, 50 and 52 yards, the last one with 4:33 left to make it 23-16.

Cleveland played the majority of the game without wide receiver and punt returner Josh Cribbs, who sustained a concussion while returning a kick late in the first quarter.

View the original article here

Shin crushes field to claim Women's British Open title

HOYLAKE, England — Jiyai Shin avoided mistakes in miserable weather conditions Sunday to cruise to a record nine-stroke victory in the Women's British Open.

In the 36-hole finish Sunday in the wind-delayed tournament, Shin took a three-shot lead into the final round after shooting a 1-under 71 in the morning. She stayed calm while strong wind and heavy showers sent scores soaring at Royal Liverpool in the afternoon, closing with a 73 to finish at 9-under 279.

"It was a long, very, very tough day out there," Shin said. "But I kept my focus and concentrated on every shot, and when I made the winning putt, it was great.

Mika Miyazato was fourth at 2 over after rounds of 72 and 77.

The 24-year-old Shin won the major championship for the second time in five years and also won for the second time in seven days on the LPGA Tour. Last Monday morning in Virginia, she finished off Paula Creamer on the ninth hole of a playoff in the Kingsmill Championship.

"When I won at Sunningdale, it was a totally different kind of course, but I finally think I've got the right tempo with my swing for links golf," Shin said.

The 10-time LPGA Tour winner entered the day with a five-stroke lead after shooting a 64 — the lowest competitive round ever at Hoylake — on Saturday. She broke the record for margin of victory of five set by Karen Stupples in 2004 at Sunningdale.

"My goal was 1-under par every single day. So my goal was 4 under. I think it was enough score," Shin said. "So, I'm really surprised even from yesterday and then also today, I hit even par with 36 holes with this weather, so I'm really surprised and inspired by myself. Because it's a really tough course here, so when I finished it today, I'm just like, 'Wow, I can get a good score on any other course.' I'm pretty sure of that."

Shin completed an Asian sweep of the four majors. South Korea's Yoo Sun Young won the Kraft Nabisco, China's Shanshan Feng took the LPGA Championship, and South Korea's Choi Na Yeon won the U.S. Women's Open. Asian players have won nine of the last 12 majors.

Shin missed the LPGA Championship and U.S. Women's Open after having surgery on her left wrist.

"I think so many Asian players are playing at the moment on the LPGA Tour, so it makes a lot of chances to win," Shin said. "Especially, I don't know how can I say, I didn't play the last two major tournaments, but I played in Nabisco and here. Well, I work so hard, I guess that's why I got this trophy, but, I don't know, I know all the other players are doing their best and they work hard, too. So it makes it just happen."

Shin is 2-for-2 working with new caddie Florian Rodriguez.

"I'm happy with my new work with my new caddie because he makes me feel relaxed," Shin said. "Actually, he's one year younger than me, but he like tried to be relaxed on the golf course and I really appreciate my caddie."

South Korea's Inbee Park was second, shooting 72-76.

Creamer shot 72-72 to finish third at 1 over.

Australia's Karrie Webb, a three-time winner in the event, pulled within three shots with a 68 in the morning, but finished with an 82 to tie for fifth with South Korea's Ryu Se Yeon — 12 shots back. Ryu shot 71-76.

Play was abandoned Friday because of high wind, forcing the 36-hole finale Sunday. Play was suspended for a few minutes during the fourth round as the rain and wind pelted the course, but organizers decided to play on.

"It was like we were standing under a shower," Creamer said. "That's the best way I can describe it. It was hard, my goodness gracious."

View the original article here

Sport Medicine Physicians Salaries Analysed - Field Where You Can Earn Plenty

Japan, Azerbaijan to vie for final Olympic women's field hockey berth

KAKAMIGAHARA — Japan and Azerbaijan will battle it out for a berth at the London Games after emerging as the two top teams in the final women's Olympic hockey qualifying tournament on Thursday.

The hosts beat Belarus 4-0, securing their place in Saturday's final, while a 2-2 draw with Chile was enough to send Azerbaijan through.

The Japanese women ended top of the table with an unbeaten four wins and a draw in the six-team round robin preliminary round.

Japan opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, with forward Kaori Fujio striking home from close range.

Midfielder Rika Komazawa and skipper Yukari Yamamoto added two more before Fujio scored her second goal in the 65th minute.

"We are determined to fight and clinch the ticket to the Olympics," said Yamamoto, while coach Zenjiro Yasuda said Belarus' defensive play was good preparation for the final.

The winner will take the 12th and final berth for the Olympics.

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea and the United States have already qualified.

View the original article here

Transforming Your Baseball Field into a Winning Field

A How-To baseball field maintenance guide to give your players the opportunity to play their best and make Your own field of dreams

Check it out!