Dave Riggert – Page 457 – St. Joseph Post Archive

NFL rejects Chiefs’ appeal of anti-tampering violations

Posted on April 18, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs’ appeal of anti-tampering violations was denied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, a decision that drew a strong rebuke from influential owner and team chairman Clark Hunt.

Kansas City will forfeit its third-round pick in next week’s draft and its sixth-round pick next year, though its $250,000 fine was reduced to $200,000 and coach Andy Reid’s fine was reduced from $75,000 to $60,000.

The Chiefs were found to have had direct communication with then-free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who had been drafted by Reid in Philadelphia, during the league’s negotiating period. That communication is considered a violation of the NFL’s tampering rules.

While the Chiefs have never denied the tampering charges, they maintained that the penalties handed down last month were inconsistent with those levied in similar cases.

“We appreciate the opportunity to make our appeal on this matter, and we acknowledge the minor reduction in fines,” Hunt said in a statement Monday. “However, we continue to believe that the facts of this case combined with the league’s inconsistent enforcement of its tampering policies do not warrant the most severe penalty for player-related tampering in league history.”

In 2008, the San Francisco 49ers were found guilty of tampering with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs by contacting his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, during the season without the Bears’ permission. The 49ers were stripped of their fifth-round pick and had to swap third-round choices with Chicago as penalties.

Three years later, the Chiefs accused Detroit of tampering when ex-coach Gunther Cunningham — then the Lions’ defensive coordinator — said he would be interested in signing players Kansas City released. The Lions lost their sixth-round pick and had to swap fifth-round picks with the Chiefs.

Last year, the New York Jets were fined $100,000 for tampering after owner Woody Johnson said he’d “love to have Darrelle (Revis) back” when the cornerback was still a member of the New England Patriots.

NFL vice president Troy Vincent said the penalties levied against Kansas City were intended “to balance the seriousness of the violation of an important and longstanding competitive rule with the appropriate recognition of the club’s history (of no prior offenses) and the cooperation shown by both the club and individual employees.”

The Chiefs have no further options under the league’s appeal process.

Maclin declined to discuss the case in detail Monday when he reported to the Chiefs’ practice facility for the start of their offseason program, though he did say he was “shocked in a way” by the penalties.

“It’s been a weird situation,” said Maclin, who appeared to validate his $55 million, five-year contract by catching a career-high 87 passes for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

“You have to take responsibility for what we do,” Maclin said. “Stats aren’t going to justify what happened with the whole situation. …. As far as me and my situation, I did what I could to help the team.”

— Associated Press —

MWSU women tied for 4th, men in 8th at MIAA golf championships

Posted on April 18, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Western Women’s golf team is currently tied for fourth at the MIAA Women’s Championships, firing a 341 team score in the first round of the tournament. The event is being played at the Swope Memorial Golf Course in Kansas City which plays at a par 72 – 5893 yards.

Shi Qing Ong and Celine Lim have paced the Griffons in the first round, each shooting an 83 in round one. They are currently tied for 16th individually. Senior Callie Wilson reported an 87 in her first round of action, sitting tied for 22nd.

Missouri Western is tied with Central Missouri at 341 in the first round and trail Lindenwood by 17 strokes for third place.

Northeastern State scored an impressive 306 in round one and leads the tournament over Central Oklahoma by 15 strokes.

Baylee Price of Northeastern State scored a 71 in round one of the tournament, leading all individuals.

The second round of the MIAA tournament will continue on Tuesday in Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Western Men’s Golf finished the first round of the MIAA Championships with a team score of 318, placing them eighth in the tournament. The event is being played at Tiffany Greens Golf Club in Kansas City which is a par 72 – 6977 yard course.

Corey Knight sits tied for third place individually, firing a 74 in the first round of action. The Griffons received a solid round from freshman Cole Roberts, scoring a 78 and tying him for 21st in the individual standings. Ryan Hand is tied for 31st in the standings after scoring an 80 in the tournament.

The Griffons trail Missouri Southern by one stroke for seventh place and Northeastern State for sixth place.

Washburn leads the team standings, scoring a 302 in the first round of action. The Ichabods led Central Oklahoma by three strokes and Lindenwood by four strokes.

Blake Lammers of Lincoln sits alone in first place, reporting a 70 in his first round of action.

The second round of the MIAA Championships will continue on Tuesday morning in Kansas City.

— MWSU Athletics —

2016 St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame class announced

Posted on April 18, 2016

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 features the city’s only high school baseball state champion, a former Missouri Western power hitter, and the most prolific softball pitcher to come from northwest Missouri.

On June 25, the 2007 Benton baseball team, Dave Lau and Cheri Kempf will officially be inducted into the St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony scheduled to begin at 6:35pm at Phil Welch Stadium before the Mustangs take on the Branson Nationals.

The two individuals and one team make up the sixth class to be enshrined.

Kempf earned a place as the hall’s first softball inductee after an outstanding career on and off the diamond.

The St. Joe native began building her resume in 1977 as the MVP of the ASA Girls 13-15 National Championship team in Freeport, Texas. She continued that dominance into her college career at Missouri Western. With a stunning 0.54 ERA for the season, Kempf led the Griffons to the 1982 NAIA National Championship, and was named tournament MVP. Ten years later, she earned a gold medal as a member of the U.S. National Team competing in the World Cup in Beijing, China.

Since her playing days, Kempf’s also worked as a softball analyst for ESPN, Fox Sports, MLB Network, Cox Sports, Comcast Sports and the YES Network. She’s also currently the commissioner of National Pro Fastpitch.

She’s also a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, Missouri Western Hall of Fame and the Missouri ASA Hall of Fame.

Dave Lau enters the Hall of Fame after a playing career that took him to the New York Mets organization.

After graduating from Central, Lau played for the University of Missouri baseball team in 1982. He transferred to Missouri Western in 1983 to begin a stellar run for his hometown school.

Lau picked up second team NAIA All-America honors in 1986, and was NAIA All-America Honorable Mention in 1985. In 1985, Lau hit 12 home runs, which still ranks fifth for a single-season in school history. His 23 career home runs are second all-time in Griffon history.

He signed a free agent contract with the New York Mets in August of 1986, and played three seasons for the organization between the Columbia Mets and St. Lucie Mets. During his first season, Lau hit three home runs and 12 RBIs in 49 games.

In 1998, he returned to Central as the St. Joseph School District’s first softball coach.

In 2007, Benton won St. Joseph’s first and only baseball state championship thanks to a 2-0 win over Sullivan in the Class 3 title game.

Led by 2013 hall of fame inductee, Mike Musser, the Cardinals finished with a 24-3 record. During their run through the Class 3 bracket, Benton outscored its four opponents 32-8.

Seniors Kyle Mason and Tim Brown and junior Johnny Coy were First Team All-State Selections, while Musser was named Class 3 Coach of the Year.

For more information on the St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame Inductions, or to purchase tickets for the event, call (816) 279-7856.

— Mustangs Press Release —

Missouri men’s basketball signs junior college All-American guard Jordan Geist

Posted on April 18, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball has signed future student-athlete Jordan Geist (Fort Wayne, Ind.) to the program’s 2016 recruiting class, head coach Kim Anderson announced. A 6-3, 180-pound guard, Geist earned Second Team NJCAA All-America recognition last season at Ranger College (Ranger, Texas), leading the Rangers to a fourth-place finish at the 2016 NJCAA Division I National Championship.

Geist averaged 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as a freshman during the 2015-16 season, helping head coach Billy Gillispie’s squad to a stout 35-3 record. The newly-signed Tiger showed impressive marksmanship throughout the campaign, shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three-point territory.

“Jordan Geist has a winner’s mentality on and off the court,” Anderson said. “His ability to be another trustworthy ball handler and relentless defender for Mizzou Basketball was important to us. Jordan is a savvy player who immediately brings solid experience and leadership to our squad. We’re excited to have Jordan and his family become a part of our program, and we cannot wait to have him in Columbia this summer.”

The Rangers were assisted by Geist’s solid play during its postseason run at the NJCAA national tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., with the guard averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals during Ranger College’s five-game stretch. Geist’s stellar postseason was boosted by a 29-point performance (9-of-15 FG, 10-of-15 FT) in his squad’s 87-74 victory over sixth-seeded Eastern Florida State College in the tournament’s second round.

“The atmosphere and culture surrounding Mizzou’s program is very exciting to me,” Geist said. “The campus is beautiful and the basketball arena is second-to-none. Coach Anderson and his staff treated me so well on my visit. That made me excited to be a part of the program. Playing in a great conference was also important to me. The SEC has great competition and has tough programs to play against. And I’ll be getting great coaching from the Mizzou coaches. I know they’ll prepare us the right way.”

Before his highly successful stop in the junior college ranks, Geist was a standout player in the competitive Indiana high school basketball scene. He helped Homestead High School to an Indiana Class 4A State Championship as a senior in 2014-15. With Geist at the point for head coach Chris Johnson, the Spartans posted an impressive 30-2 season record. Geist compiled averages of 16.8 points and 3.6 assists per game in his final high school season.

Geist earned Indiana Junior All-Star honors following his junior season at Penn High School (Mishawaka, Ind.), in which he averaged 17.7 points and 3.3 assists per game. He led the Kingsmen to a school record 23-2 mark.

Geist has proven to be a winner, with the last three teams he has played for (Penn HS, Homestead HS, Ranger College) combining for an 88-7 record (92.6 winning percentage) over the last three seasons.

“Mizzou fans will see toughness from me,” Geist said. “I’m out there to win and give everything I have for Mizzou Basketball. I think the little things are the most important parts of basketball. On defense, you have to bother people. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Geist’s signing joins him with the current 2016 recruiting class of Frankie Hughes (Cleveland, Ohio), Willie Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio), Reed Nikko (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Mitchell Smith (Van Buren, Ark.).

— Mizzou Athletics —

George Brett named Grand Marshall for Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway

Posted on April 18, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 18, 2016) – Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and former Kansas City Royal George Brett has been named Grand Marshall for the May 7 Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway. Brett was also one of the first people in line to purchase Kansas Speedway season tickets when tickets went on sale before the facility opened.

“George Brett is an iconic figure not just in Kansas City but to sports fans across the country and I’m excited to have him take part in the Go Bowling 400,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. “George has an impressive resume, winning a World Series title with the Royals, a Gold Glove, an MVP award, and I’m thrilled that Kansas Speedway was able to add another accomplishment to this already extraordinary list – Grand Marshal.”

Brett, who played his entire career with the Royals organization, is considered one of baseball’s greatest clutch hitters and was chosen Royals Player of the Year eight times. The 13-time All-Star was named the 1980 American League MVP and won a Gold Glove in 1985. He was the first player in Major League history to win batting titles in three decades (1976, 1980 and 1990) and the first with career totals of more than 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, 600 doubles, 100 triples and 200 stolen bases.

In 1999, Brett was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame with the fourth-highest vote percentage ever recorded (98%).

Tickets are currently on sale for the Go Bowling 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on May 7, and the Toyota Tundra 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on May 6. In October, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns with the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 16. The Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race will take center stage on Oct. 15, while the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship race will run on Oct. 14. Tickets can be purchased online at www.kansasspeedway.com or by calling 866.460.7223.

— Kansas Speedway Press Release —

A’s rally to beat Kansas City 3-2, win three-game series

Posted on April 17, 2016

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Billy Burns’ speed, along with a little luck, helped Oakland win its first home series.

Josh Reddick’s sacrifice fly off Joakim Soria broke an eighth-inning tie and lifted the Oakland Athletics over the Kansas City Royals 3-2 Sunday.

Soria (1-1) relieved to start the eighth, Burns tripled into the right-field corner and Reddick flied to center with one out. Burns came across the plate standing up, easily beating Lorenzo Cain’s throw.

“He’s got some speed. That kid’s a nice player. He runs hard,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We normally play him straight up. We were shading the line there because he very seldom hits balls down the line, but he just hit one perfectly right down the line for a triple.”

Burns said the ball was close to being caught by first baseman Eric Hosmer and was close to being foul.

“He was so close to snagging it,” Burns said. “I think it just skipped off the edge of his glove and skipped over the corner of the base.”

John Axford (2-0) induced three consecutive groundouts in the eighth, and Ryan Madson pitched a one-hit ninth for his fourth save in as many chances, retiring Raymond Fuentes on a game-ending lineout to first with a runner on second.

“I was working on keeping the ball down there but got it higher than I wanted,” Madson said. “Luckily the speed was different enough that he couldn’t get it to the outfield.”

Soria lost for the first time since July 11.

Royals starter Kris Medlen allowed two runs — one earned — two hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings. He left after Chris Coughlan’s seventh-inning double, and pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie tied the score 2-2 with a single off Kelvin Herrera.

“Medlen pitched great,” Yost said. “He managed his pitch count really, really well. In the seventh inning, you got Kel down there, it’s hard not to bring him into the ballgame.

A’s starter Chris Bassitt gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings.

Kansas City built a 2-0 lead on Alex Gordon’s RBI single in the second and Mike Moustakas’ homer in the third.

Coco Crisp scored in the fourth on Salvador Perez’s passed ball as Coghlan struck out.

GOLFING AROUND

Several current and former Royals are taking part in the annual Royals Charities Golf Tournament, which benefits the Special Olympics of Kansas City, on Monday’s off day.

Scheduled to join Hall of Famer George Brett are Yost, Moustakas, Soria, Wade Davis and Edinson Volquez.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Jarrod Dyson went 2 for 2 with a stolen base Sunday in his sixth rehab start for Triple-A Omaha. He is hitting .318 (7 for 22) and has been eligible to come off the disabled list but may remain with the Storm Chasers to get a few more at-bats. He strained his right oblique in his first at-bat of spring training.

Athletics: RHP Henderson Alvarez, recovering from right shoulder surgery, will go on a rehab assignment this week following a series of simulated games. “He’s a guy who has pitched at the top of the rotation,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “Bringing someone like him in is like signing a free agent, and we’re eagerly anticipating his arrival.”

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura (0-0, 2.94) is to open a three-game set against Detroit on Tuesday night. He is 4-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 33 strikeouts in six starts against the Tigers.

Athletics: LHP Eric Surkamp (0-1, 4.00) is slated to start Tuesday night at the New York Yankees.

— Associated Press —

Bearcats complete three-game sweep of Southwest Baptist

Posted on April 17, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team beat Southwest Baptist, 7-5, on Sunday at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

he win gives Northwest a three-game sweep over SBU after taking Friday’s and Saturday’s games. Northwest improves to 21-17 overall and 16-12 in conference action. SBU falls to 17-21 overall and 12-16 in MIAA play.

Jay Hrdlicka went 3-for-4 on the day with a pair of RBI.

Anthony Caenepeel went 8.0 innings for his fifth win, allowing five runs on seven hits. He recorded four strikeouts and walked just three batters.

Northwest scored seven runs on eight hits with no errors. Northwest got two runs in the first and five in the third.

Southwest Baptist scored one in the first and four in the fifth. SBU finished with five runs on seven hits with one error.

Kolby Greenslade went 2-for-4 with a run scored. He also stole a base.

James Holler hit his sixth homerun of the year in the first, a two run shot. He finished the day with a pair of runs scored and was also hit by a pitch.

Kevin Handzlik was 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI and one run scored.

Aaron Barratt was 1-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice bunt.

Ozzie Adams drew a pair of walks and came around to score two runs on the afternoon.

Jake Lewis was hit by a pitch in the third and came around to score Northwest’s seventh run of the contest.

Carson Smith picked up his sixth save of the year, recording the final three outs of the contest.

With two outs in the first, Adams reached on an error on a ball hit to the second baseman. Holler took advantage of the mistake and crushed his sixth homerun of the year over the right field fence to make it 2-1 Northwest.

Greenslade led off the third with a single up the middle. After a pair of out, Adams walked and Holler was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two down. Handzlik came up with a two-RBI single to right to score Adams and Greenslade. Lewis was hit by a pitch to load the bases again and this time it was Hrdlicka who singled to right center to drive in Holler and Handzlik to make it 6-1 Northwest. After a pitching change, Lewis would score on a balk to push the lead to 7-1.

Northwest heads to Missouri Western on Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph, Mo.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri drops series finale to No. 9 LSU

Posted on April 17, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball dropped the final game of a three game series against No. 9 LSU Sunday (April 17) at Taylor Stadium, 15-2. Freshman LHP Michael Plassmeyer (St. Louis, Mo.) took the loss, throwing 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits, five earned runs, one walk and two strikeouts while LSU’s John Valek III earned his sixth win of the season. Mizzou now sits at 20-18, and 4-11 in SEC play.

Sophomore C Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.) led Mizzou at the plate, tallying his first three-hit game of the season while tallying his team-leading sixth homer of the season. Senior 1B Zach Lavy (Auxvasse, Mo.) extended his hitting streak to a career-long 10 games, the longest such streak by a Mizzou player this season. He did so on an eighth-inning double, his 15th of the season. He now leads the SEC in extra-base hits at 25 and his 15 doubles match the most by a Mizzou player since 2011 (17 by Jonah Schmidt).

In the top of the first LSU’s bats started off hot, scoring five runs. The Tigers led with three straight base hits scoring one, and an error by freshman INF Brian Sharp (Liberty, Mo.) brought in another run, making it 2-0. After two runs scored, another base hit down the right field line brought in the third run, then a fielders choice followed by another base hit brought in the last two runs of the inning.

Mizzou struck back in the bottom of the second scoring one run with two singles by sophomore OF Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) and sophomore C Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.), and a fielders choice by Sharp to bring in Harris.

R-Sophomore RHP Cole Bartlett (Williamsburg, Ind.) came in to relieve Plassmeyer in the top of the fifth with two runners left on. After a walk and a base hit, LSU plated two more runs to extend its lead 7-1.

Bond led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo homerun; his team-leading sixth of the season cutting LSU’s lead to 7-2. It was his second homer in as many days.

LSU rebutted in the top of the seventh with three solo homers and wound up putting up a five-spot in the inning to extend the lead to 12-2. That put the game out of reach for Mizzou and LSU added three more in the ninth.

Mizzou does not have a midweek game next week as it shifts its focus to a weekend series at South Carolina, beginning next Friday (April 22).

— Mizzou Athletics —

Eric Fryer’s three hits leads Cardinals over Reds 4-3

Posted on April 17, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Given a rare chance to start, Eric Fryer showed the St. Louis Cardinals what he is capable of.

Fryer had three hits, including a go-ahead double with two outs in the eighth inning during Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds 4-3.

A backup to All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, Fryer got his first start this season and is 6 for 6 at the plate. Fryer also threw out Brandon Phillips attempting to steal in the sixth.

“It’s a combination of everything,” Fryer said. “As a catcher, you take more pride in defense.”

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha, who gave up one earned run and seven hits, felt Fryer’s greatest value was with his pitch-calling skills.

“He was the man today,” Wacha said. “We were on the same page right from the start. He did a great job mixing up the pitches.”

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny agreed.

“All the way across, he had a great day,” Matheny said. “It’s always good when you can get Yadi a day off and still get the job done.”

Matt Carpenter and Jedd Gyorko hit solo homers for St. Louis, which has won three of last four. Ten of the Cardinals’ 21 homers this season were hit in the three-game series against the Reds, who have lost five of six.

Kevin Siegrist (2-0) entered with a runner at second and two outs in the seventh, struck out Zack Cozart and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, fanning two more. Trevor Rosenthal struck out his last two batters in a perfect ninth for his third save in as many chances.

Cincinnati’s Jon Moscot gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings in his first start this season. He had been on the disabled list due to a strained left intercostal muscle.

“I wanted to get that quality start and go deep into the game,” Moscot said. “I made a couple of mistakes and they took advantage of it.”

With the score 3-all, Ross Ohlendorf (2-1) walked pinch-hitter Aledmys Diaz leading off, and Diaz scored on Fryer’s double.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: LHP John Lamb gave up three runs and six hits over three innings of Triple-A Louisville’s 8-6 loss to Toledo on Saturday. Lamb underwent surgery on Dec. 7 to repair a herniated disk in his back.

Cardinals: Molina and OF Matt Holliday were rested and held out of the starting lineup on Sunday. Holliday pinch hit in the ninth, and Molina caught the final inning.

UP NEXT

Reds: RHP Alfredo Simon (0-1) is to open a a seven-game homestand and three-game series against Colorado on Monday.

Cardinals: RHP Mike Leake (0-1) is slated to start the open of a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs.

— Associated Press —

Northwest men’s tennis team beats Washington 9-0

Posted on April 17, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s tennis team swept Washington University on Sunday afternoon at the Tao Tennis Center in St. Louis, Mo., 9-0.

Northwest improved to 16-3 overall while Washington University falls to 14-4.

Northwest entered the match ranked No. 16 in NCAA Division II while Washington University was ranked No. 7 in Division III.

The win snapped WashU’s 35-match home win streak.

Match Scores
1. #49 Boissinot,Romain (NW) def. John Carswell (WASHU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Fontcuberta,Sergi (NW) def. Johnny Wu (WASHU) 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 1-0 (10-5)
3. Riveros,Alvaro (NW) def. Tyler Kratky (WASHU) 1-6, 6-0, 6-1
4. Tete,Mauro (NW) def. Jeremy Bush (WASHU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Altmann,Josef (NW) def. Jason Haugen (WASHU) 7-5, 6-4
6. Glowick,Fin (NW) def. Jake Klein (WASHU) 6-3, 6-2

1. Fontcuberta,Sergi/Riveros,Alvaro (NW) def. Jason Haugen/Konrad Kozlowski (WASHU) 8-5
2. Boissinot,Romain/Autones,Aymeric (NW) def. Jeremy Bush/Tyler Kratky (WASHU) 8-6
3. Tete,Mauro/Altmann,Josef (NW) def. Shaun Berman/Radha Vishnubhotla (WASHU) 8-4

The men’s and women’s teams will host Lindenwood University on Saturday, April 23, at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. The Northwest women will play at Fort Hays State, the day before on Friday, April 22, at 1 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —