text:
* Prices may differ from that shown
Nike+ is a system of planning, tracking, and measuring runs while listening to your favourite -- or most motivational -- music. To do this you need to buy a few things first:
* An iPod Nano and The Nike+ Sports Kit (which consists of an oval-shaped sensor and a rectangular receiver that connects to the iPod)
Alternatively, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch you only need to buy the sensor -- which is half the price on its own.
Also, to make full use of Nike+ you should sign up to the Nike running website where you have the option to choose training programs, make a calorie/distance/speed goal, or take part in friendly competitions with others on the site. I am currently trying a program that will train me to run a 5 km marathon within 3 months.
So far so good, but Nike still wants you to purchase more of its gear before you can actually hit the concrete: a pair of Nike+ shoes please. The only reason you need a special pair of trainers is because Nike (or someone in a sweatshop in China) have carved out a small oval-shaped hole in the left shoe under the innersole where the sensor sits.
Of course, a quick look on Amazon will show you that if you already have a favourite pair of running shoes there are numerous pouches and holders that will adapt your shoes for the sensor.
Now you've got the gear, got the shoes, and signed up to the site. Ready to go? Not quite. I personally find that the earphones supplied with iPods can fall out quite easily (as tested when running for buses, trains, planes, etc). A good pair of speciality running earphones are probably in order. I went for a pair of Sennheiser PMX 80 Sport headphones. They loop around your ears and behind your head so they don't move at all when running. After my first run today I can tell you they work perfectly, completely solid, no jittering, and crisp clear audio.
Surely there's nothing else to buy? Well, maybe one more thing. You need somewhere to put the iPod as you're bounding around the streets. Placing it in a pocket could be OK, but the iPod is so small it could easily fall out if you don't have a zip. The solution is either to hold it or buy an arm strap.
And that's it -- well, apart from the actual running! I did find the option of a "power song" (where you press the centre button on the iPod and it plays your most motivational song) helped for a short time when I start to lose power, and the inner geek in me finds some motivation in uploading runs, mapping out routes, and keeping track of my progress. Overall I am very impressed with how it works, and once it's all running, how easy it is to use -- and it's cheaper than a gym membership!
Following a knee injury I decided it would be better to have pair of running trainers instead of normal everday trainers for going out jogging. I heard about this Nike+ iPod Sport Kit and bought it along with Nike+ trainers to go along with it.
~~~What is it?~~~
The Apple Nike+ iPod Sport Kit comes with a small sensor which fits under the sole of your left Nike+ running shoe, or if you don't have Nike+ trainers then you can buy a pouch which can be tied to your laces, that the sensor is placed in. Along with the sensor you also get a wireless receiver which plugs into the bottom of your iPod.
All you have to id place the sensor in your trainer then put the receiver in your iPod. Once you've done this you calibrate the sensor so that you can get accurate information from your run. You could choose to do this by running a mile on a treadmill, but I chose to use the Nike website to create a run around my area then use it. Just in case my stride length differs from treadmill to ground.
From the menu on your iPod, you can choose whether you want to run a certain distance, for a certain time or burn a certain amount of calories. You can also just do a 'basic' workout which just lets you get on with it and you can stop whenever.
You can keep track of how you're doing during your workout by pressing the centre button. A male or female will tell you your stats. I chose the male as the female had that annoying whiney American accent which was irritating (I've got nothing against Americans ).
Once you've completed your run, you will see a summary of how you've done. Distance, time, average pace and calories burned will all be shown.
And if you've completed some kind of new personal best, such as running further than you've ever done previously, you'll get a message from a sport star such as Tiger Woods or Lance Armstrong.
This data can then be uploaded to the nike website, where you can keep track of all your runs.
You can of course listen to your music while running. You have the option of listening to your playlists or shuffling your songs. You can also listen to an album, but you'll have to start playing the album before you set up your workout. This is because you can't browse through albums when in the Nike+ area, you can however select ' Now Playing'. I hope that makes sense.
You can also set a 'Powersong', which you can use when you're struggling during your worlout by holding the centre button on your iPod.
Mines is 'Eye of the Tiger', which unsurprisingly is the most popular choice.
~~~Nike Running Site~~~
This is where all your workout data is sent. The website keeps track of the total distance you have ran, total time spent running, average pace overall and calories burned. It also shows your personal bests for set distance such as 1km, 1 mile, 5km, marathon, etc. This is also stored on your iPod.
Apart from keeping track of your stats you can join upto challenges with other members of the site. Challenges include completing a certain distance or competing against one another to complete a distance in the fastest time.
You're supposed to get virtual medals and ribbons for doing these challenges, but despite winning some I haven't received any virtual recognition.
As I mentioned before, you can creat your own course from the website. Using Google maps, the website allows you to plan out a run around where you live or anywhere else in the world for that matter. It'll tell you how long the course you have created is. And you cn also keep track of how many times you have ran the course.
For me this is a great piece of technology to have for anyone who regularly goes running or walking. The fact that all your data is stored online, and in a more basic state on your iPod is for me a great motivation to keep getting out there and clocking up those miles.
For roughly £20 you won't be wasting your money and after over 100 miles my sensor is still working accurately.. even though I don't switch it off when it's not in use.
The only minor fault I've had is after one of my runs the data wouldn't upload to the website. This was probably more to do with the site itself rather than the sensor (supposedly getting updated). After a few more runs however it did start to uplaod again and no runs were missing.
Nike + is a wireless sensor which fits into a pair of Nike + trainers and then sends information about your walking or running efforts to a transmitter which plugs into your iPod or if you have an iPod Touch, the transmitter is built in. You can then use your iPod as a personal coach for walking or running. The price is very reasonable at around £19 but the Nike + trainers can be very expensive, although...you don't need to have a pair, there are pouches available from sites such as Amazon which will fit onto your existing trainers to hold the sensor. These pouches aren't produced by Nike though.
The sensor needs to be calibrated before it can measure the distance you have run or walked, the speed at which you were walking or running, and the calories you have burned along the way. I calibrated mine on a treadmill, and I think it would have been better doing it while running outside as it doesn't give accurate readings, they are always out by about a mile.
I have found this item useful initially to keep track of calories burned and distances run and I like the fact that you can create playlists to workout to and have a favourite track set to come on when you are nearing the end of the workout to spur you on. However, as I am not an avid runner, I have found that the novelty of this item soon wore off and as the sensor and transmitter are small, they regularly get misplaced or lost! (That's more my fault than the product's!)
I have heard from other people that the battery in the sensor does not last for long and replacements are available. I haven't yet had any problem with battery life and the product has been used a good number of times.
I think this product is well priced and great for regular runners, not so good for the likes of me where the novelty wore off very quickly.
I promised myself that this would be the summer to kick start my fitness regime, and with limited funds, I didn't want to join a gym, so I decided to take up running. As a self-confessed couch potato, I needed something that would motivate me. Enter, Nike+ Sensor. So, I invested in a sensor that was £12 from eBay). As I had an iPod Touch, I didn't require the sport kit. You do if you have an iPod Nano though.
If you have the Nike trainer that already has the section to put the sensor in, you'll have to find a way of attaching it to your shoe. I purchased a Nike+ Sensor pouch from Amazon (coast around £6), which you put the sensor in and loop through your trainer laces.
Once it's sorted in your shoe, you need to link it to your iPod. It's very easy to do. Simply walk around and the sensor will be picked up by your iPod. Mine didn't at first and I thought I had a faulty product. But all I had to do was take the sensor out of the pouch and shake it around a bit. I set my Nike+ to basic, open-ended programme and I did my run. You can work out to a pre-programmed playlist and can also choose a 'power song' to really get you going when you're flagging.
When you have finished your run, a voice will tell you how far you've run (in miles or km), what your pace was, how many calories you've burnt (this is the best bit for me) and the time it's taken you. Now, plug in your iPod and all the details can be sent to Nikeplus.com, where you can register your details and your run will be put onto a graph (a nice little touch), which gives me motivation.
Overall, it's a great and smart little device that I can't run without now. Worth the investment!
Nike+ is a piece of wireless equipment which, along with your ipod tracks the time taken, the pace, calories burnt and the distance of your runs or walks. When looking at prices on the internet, it cost £19 on the Currys website and £20.04 on Amazon.
As well as this receiver and sensor pack, you need your ipod and itunes on your computer (which sends your workout data to the Nike+ website). If you dont already have a pair of Nike+ trainers, then you can purchase a special holder for the sensor, which fits onto the laces on your trainers. You can get these on Amazon for around £6 or £7 pounds, depending on the sort you want. You could, of course, get a pair of Nike+ trainers but these will set you back at least £70 which is not practical for every ones budget.
If you do have, or get the trainers, then the sensor fits under the insole in the left trainer. The receiver fits into the bottom of your ipod where you would connect it to the computer. When you first put in the receiver, it will ask you to set a couple of things to your preference. You can set the feed back voice to female or male. You can also set the distance to miles or kilometre.
When you come to doing your first workout, scroll down to Nike+ and then go to 'new workout'. From here, you can choose one of four workouts. The first is a 'basic' workout, where it does track what you do, but where you dont have a particular goal. With the next three (time, distance and calories), you can set a particular goal. With these, you will get spoken feedback every so often to tell you how well you are doing. The feedback voice will also tell you when you have completed the goal you set, though you can carry on if you wish. After deciding on your type of workout, choose the music, if any, that you want and press the centre button to start. To finish, press the menu button and scroll down to end workout.
Your ipod can store up to 1000 workouts before needing to download them. To download them, connect to itunes as you normally would do. This will then direct you to the Nike+ website to set up an account, which is free and only takes a couple of minutes. From this point onwards itunes will send your workouts to your account on the website every time you download your information.
To me, the website is the best part of the the Nike+ idea. Every time you complete a workout and download it onto the website, it comes up as a line graph type thing. This line shows you your pace throughout your run. I find this helpful as I can try to push myself harder on the areas where I tend to be slower.
The website is also helpful as you can set yourself goals, like running 40 miles in four weeks or a certain number of calories in so many weeks. I find that this has helped to keep me going on a number of occasions as I dont like failing! Also, you can set challenges that other Nike+ runners can take part in. A popular on is to see who can run the furthest in 30 days. These are for anyone to take part in.
I decided to get this nifty bit of kit as I wanted to start running to lose the spare tyre round my waist (and other wobbly bits!) and to also get quite fit. It has helped me no end, as without it I think I would probably have given up within a couple of weeks. At first, it helped me just to know how far I was actually going and also because I could slowly see my pace increasing. Now that I have got fitter and slimmer (though there is still some way to go), I have found I like running for the sake of running. It is always hard if i push myself, I usually enjoy going out and trying to run that tiny bit further so that I can try and get ahead of someone in a challenge. It is also really easy to use this bit of kit. It is easy to set up before you go out running, easy to download after finishing and easy to use the website.
I would recommend this kit to anyone who wants to get fitter or who wants to improve their performance.
I've always been quite an active person and a keen runner. Recently I have been upping my game and starting to take running a bit more seriously. I would be mapping my runs and timing how long it takes me to cover the distance with the trusty stopwatch. This isn't always practical and doesn't really give you an accurate account of the exercise you have been doing.
Enter the Nike+ Sport kit. It comprises of a wireless sensor that you place in the sole of your Nike+ running shoes and a small attachment that fits onto the bottom of your ipod. There is also a CD that contains the software required when it comes to uploading your data. You also need to create an account on the Nike+ website. It's as simple as that.
You choose your music and off you run. The sensor records all the data of your run including the time, distance, fastest mile/km, and calories burnt. You can set it up so that your workout ends after you have run a specific distance, amount of time, or burned off so many calories. When you have finished the run you attach your ipod to your computer (just as you do when loading music) and upload the data.
You can view all your running data on the Nike+ website. It will tell you the total distance and time you have run. It will also work out averages for you. It saves all your running history. The website isn't just about you though. It's an entire community of runners. You can compare stats, create goals for yourself and even challenge other people to reach certain goals.
One of the cuter features of the site allows you to create a mini runner in your image that you can use for a screen saver and encourages you to go out running! You can also link this with social networking sites such as Facebook.
Overall, this is a product that has been screaming out to be invented for years. It's not just for people who are fit or good at running. It's for those people that want to make exercising more enjoyable and more fun. It really does inspire you to run. You will find yourself creating a play list of music just for running. One of my favourite features is that you are able to nominate a 'power song' for that part of the run where you feel like you need to stop and need that extra bit of motivation. The key word here is motivation and the Nike+ Sports Kit gives you that little edge and helps you hit those targets.
Having over indulged over Christmas and not really being able to tone up a little with general exercise, I decided it was time to take up a bit of gentle running. I decided I would start out going two nights a week for about a mile run, just to break myself back in gently (I hadn't been proper running since I was at school some 10 or so years ago).
So I went to my local sports shop and got myself a decent pair of Nike running shoes, half with the thought of getting myself a Nike+ Apple sensor to pair with my iPod. I tried in vain to find the official Nike+ running shoes for under £30 but wasn't able to do so. I settled on a pair of Dart VI which were on promotion for £24.99. As I didn't have the sensor, I thought I'd see how I got on first.
My first run was a success and I found even though I was absolutely shattered when I got home, I was somehow looking forward to my next venture out. Therefore I decided to hunt down a Nike+ sensor. Now I have an iPod Touch (which I used whilst running to break the boredom of running on my own) and so I only had to find a sensor sold on it's own and not in the iPod Sport Kit.
The sport kit comes with a transmitting device which plugs into the bottom of the iPod (where you plug the USB cable for connecting to a power adapter or computer) which then receives a signal from the Nike+ sensor. The iPod Touch can receive the sensor signal as it uses either Wifi or built in Bluetooth (I'm not 100% sure which) to make the connection. After scouting around for a day or so on where best to get the sensor, I eventually opted for Amazon at a cost of £14.00. True to Amazon's usual good service, it arrived after 3 days.
I did however still have a small problem. How will I secure the sensor to my trainer? As mentioned, I didn't go for the 'official' Nike+ trainers which house the sensor under the insole of the left shoe in a special compartment. I searched on eBay for a solution and it came back with all sorts of shoe pouch, rubber fasteners, plastic latches, etc - all which would cost about the same as the sensor itself.
I was about to give in and buy one of the cheapest when I found a very useful YouTube video on a 'Nike sensor hack'. A guy called seansymons posted a very useful video on how to fasten the sensor with next to no cost at all. You take a small sandwich bag, put the sensor inside, wrap it around a few times and place it under the laces of your left shoe. As there is excess plastic bag hanging out either end, it is secured when you do your laces up. Genius!
So, I was no ready for my second run. I had already created a 'running' playlist in iTunes which I synced to my iPod with songs to keep my energy and enthusiasm up, which are as follows:
'Shut Up and Let Me Go' - The Ting Tings
'My Generation' - Limp Bizkit
'Smack My Bitch Up' - Prodigy
'X Gon' Give It To Ya' - DMX
'Pump It' - Black Eyed Peas
'Mr Brightside' - The Killers
'Killing In The Name' - Rage Against The Machine
'I Predict a Riot' - Kaiser Chiefs
'Breathe' - Prodigy
'Oh Timbaland' - Timbaland
'Hey Ya!' - Outkast
'Hungry Like The Wolf' - Duran Duran
'Standing In The Way Of Control' - The Gossip *POWERSONG
'Break Stuff' - Limp Bizkit
'Fashion Victim' - Green Day
'99 Problems' - Jay Z
'In Da Club' - 50 Cent
I turned on my sensor (there is a very small white button on the underside - press once for on, hold for 3 secs for sleep/off) and walked around as indicated for the connection to be made with my iPod Touch. It took roughly 3 attempts for this to happen, which was a bit surprising as I was expecting an instant connection. Eventually we got there and I was off, but I now found I had to callibrate the sensor by running 400 metres. A little annoying but I wanted to get it right.
A few options can be set up in the preferences before running. I had chosen a female instructor's voice for updates on starting/resuming my workout, etc. A male instructor is also available. You can also set your workout by distance, calories you want to burn or by time. For just normal running, there is a basic workout which will just record all the above with no interruptions. You are also asked to select a 'PowerSong' which can be activated by the iPod interface at any point in your run to give you
2 and a bit miles and roughly 30 minutes later I returned home, had a shower and was eager to get all my running information off the iPod. When you connect the iPod to the computer and iTunes has opened, you have to sync the Nike+ info. Once done, iTunes asks you if you wish to connect to the Nike+ website to create a free account and upload your data. I had already anticipated this and set up an account so all i had to do was log in.
The Nike+ website is a great add on to the already useful (and quite fun) sensor. Here you can view your run as a graph, showing you where you had burst of energy or used your PowerSong, map your run using Google maps, challenge yourself to achievable goals or just see how other people are getting on.
All in all I would recommend the Nike+ Apple sensor as a useful bit of equipment, especially if you're already going to be listening to music. I have heard that battery life lasts only approximately a year and once it runs out you have to replace the unit as the sensor is sealed.
I've been running for near on 2 months now and haven't yet lost my sensor, so it's good to see the bag tip works!
This is my opinion only. I also write reviews on Ciao! under the name macmonkey.
This is a great piece of kit that harnesses the really great iPod and couples it with the ability to go out running to groovy tracks, whilst tracking your results.
It used to be the case that YOU MUST use Nike trainers, the special ones that have an oval shape cut out inside the sole of the shoe. This is where the transmitter is slotted in. However, you can get tiny little aftermarket accessories. They accommodate the transmitter and then attach to ANY trainer, normally clipping onto the laces. The SwitchEasy RunAway is one such product, but a whole list can be found here; http://tinyurl.com/y6qr6z
Anyway, the other part of this kit is the receiver, which plugs into the bottom of your iPod and activates the software. From here you can calibrate the device and then get out running. It tracks things like pace, distance, time and calories burnt. You can even set it to give you voice prompts, these encourage you and let you know how you are doing throughout your workout. Then when you get back home, you synchronise your iPod. You get charts, records, progress details through your free Nike+iPod account via the website. Fantastic!
You should also note that if you own the latest iPhone or iPod touch, with the latest software, there is no need to plug in the white receiver, as it is built into the unit. You also get a really nice user interface from the newer software.
This is a great device and adds some very useful extra functionality to an already great product.
Now I was fairly active when i was younger, i played a lot of sport at school, mainly Basktetball and Hockey, I even became very good at Hockey ending up playing for our men's 1st team by the age of around 14 or 15. I even managed to make it into the eastern regional squad. I stopped playing when I was about 21 to persue anothe pasion, Music, I was in a band that was doing quite well, and i wanted to put more time into this, to cut a long story short, we did well, got signed, but it fell apart a bit, but i digress, that truely is another story.
Back on track, after stopping playing alot of sport and getting a 'regular' 9-5 desk job i noticed my fitness suffered dramatically. So i decided to start running in the evenings, which although I enjoyed was difficult to motivate myself after sitting on my cheeks for 8 hours already. When i came across the Nike + iPod system i was in the states on Holiday so managed to pick up some Nike + compatible trainers, and an Ipod Nano for 'half price', (I love going to America on holiday!).
Basically what you need is an iPod Nano, some Nike + compatible trainers, and this Apple Nike+ iPod sport kit, (but if you're reading this chances are you already know that.) In the Apple Nike+ iPod sport kit you get a little 'chip' that goes under the sole of your nike+ traniners, and an addon for the iPod nano which plugs into the bottom where you plug in the sync cable.
The main reason i bought this kit to be able to do this was to keep me motivated. While out running you can press the centre button on your ipod at anytime, and it will tell you over your headphones on a sat nav type voice which tells you how far you've run, how long it's taken you and what pace you're running at, customisable to be miles or KM to your taste.
Once you have run you sync it with your iTunes and it will link to your Nike+ account to update all information on there. The Nike+ website shows you all details from all your runs, but that's not all. On the website you can set yourself goals, e.g, I want to set a goal of running 30 miles over the next 4 weeks. It will then keep track of it for you. Similarly you can also set challenges between other uses which is an superb motivater!!
One of the advantages of this is service is, as always on the internet, the community presence, you can join in with the community in the forum, and find challenges that suit your ability, or setup your own challenge to other users.
All in all this is a great little thing to have to help motivate you.
Since I've been getting into a bit of a health kick right now, I was tempted by this nifty little device and eventually gave in and treated myself to it.
This device is compatible with an iPod nano only since the nano has a flash drive memory as opposed to hard drive memory and therefore, its less likely to be damaged by running.
You get a sensor and a receiver in the box. The receiver plugs into the bottom of your iPod, just like your USB cable. The receiver is very small: only about 2cm long and 1 cm high, so it doesn't get in the way too much. The sensor is designed to be placed in a pair of Nike+ trainers which have a space hollowed out for it inside the sole, but a quick Google search will reveal many cheap solutions that allow you to attach the sensor to the laces of any trainers.
So, you've plugged in your receiver, attached the sensor to your shoe and you're ready to go. You simply follow the Nike+ link on your iPod and can then choose your workout. You can choose to set your workout by distance, time or calories burned. Other settings can be changed, too. For example, a voice can give you an update on your progress of your workout and you can set this to be either male or female. Similarly, you can set it to record your workout in either miles or kilometers or set your 'Powersong' which is a song you can get your iPod to play when you start to flag.
Your progress is displayed on screen , telling you how far you've went, but you also get updates through your headphones and can get such an update on demand by pressing the middle button. It will also record how fast you're going and how long you've ran for.
You can also calibrate the Nike+ kit to be sure its accurate for your stride length, although I've left mine at what it was pre-set out as this seems to be fairly accurate for me, anyway.
Once you've left your sweaty trainers at your front door and got yourself comfy on the sofa after a hard workout, then you can proudly plug your ipod into your computer and record your workout information online at the Nike+ website. Here you can not only store a record of your workouts, but you can also set and sign up for challenges to give yourself an extra bit of motivation.
For someone like me, who needs all the motivation I can get, its good to be able to be able to visually chart my progress like I can with the Nike+ kit. However, I am aware that it pretty much is a glorified pedometer. Running along to my favourite music while having spoken encouragement is something I find that helps me, though. You can also download workout mixes from iTunes just by typing Nike+ into the search bar.
At only £20, though, you can't go wrong if you already own a Nano. However, with Nanos coming in currently at around £100 for 4GB and about £120 for 8GB, it could certainly work out expensive if you don't already own one.
There is a couple of disadvantages I can see, though. First of all, the battery can't be changed in the sensor and so you'll need to buy a whole new Nike+ kit when the battery dies. Also, its pretty much necessary to buy a sports armband to secure your Nano and keep it away from rain or sweat which will set you back about another 20 quid. Also, if you don't own a pair of Nike+ trainers, you might not feel satisfied that the sensor is firmly attached to your trainers which might be a bit of a distraction.
Another fault is that if you run cross country or aren't running with a regular stride, it can make the Nike+ unable to accurately predict the distance ran, although it shouldn't make it totally inaccurate.
All in all, I've found this a great motivational tool for me and at only £20, it didn't break the bank. Being able to link it with the Nike website to give you that added bit of encouragement is a great touch as well, and all in all, I'd recommend this piece of kit for any runners or potential runners out there!


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Quick tips for installing your oiling system so that it's leak free and provides a steady supply of oil to your racing engine.
Few things are more annoying than the constant slow drip of a leaking oil pan–except for maybe a damaged engine thanks to an unexpected drop in oil pressure. Improper installation of either your oil pump or wet sump oil pan can cause either of these problems.
At Circle Track, we've suffered through our fair share of these frustrations. Everything from the simple stuff like that mysterious puddle of oil that appears on the shop floor (the source is impossible to trace), all the way to the spray of oil coming from the failed rear main oil seal that hit the headers and created an impenetrable fog of smoke filling a dyno cell. Hey, it's a mistake the first time it happens; it only becomes a problem when it happens the second time.
To help you avoid these kinds of gaffes, we gathered a few tips while rebuilding our Chevy dyno mule for an upcoming test. This is not only applicable on a new engine build, but any time you have to remove the oil pan. You may have to replace the pan if your motor is going into a different chassis, or if it gets damaged in a race. Or you may need to temporarily remove the pan if you suspect a rod bearing problem and want to inspect it without tearing the engine completely down.
Regardless, these tips can help you ensure that the oil pump is working as efficiently as possible so that your expensive race engine is receiving a constant flow of oil at a sufficient pressure–and avoid that annoying puddle of oil on the shop floor.

subset: commoncrawl


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Local Business Profiles
in Kansas City, MO and area
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Business profiles for Kansas City, Missouri organizations. Company and business profiles highlight some of the small and medium-sized enterprises that together are the main employers in Kansas City, MO. Learn the stories of the local businesses profiled in KansasCityDirect.info.
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NEW YORK, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Legal experts, including a U.S. judge, are saying that many credit card debt lawsuits are similar to the foreclosure fiasco that rocked the banking industry.
"I would say that roughly 90 percent of the credit card lawsuits are flawed and can't prove the person owes the debt," said Noach Dear, a civil court judge in New York City.
Dear has presided over hundreds of credit card lawsuits, The New York Times reported Monday.
And, although an estimated 95 percent of the cases are decided in favor of the lender, because the borrower does not show up in court, the cases still resemble the illegal foreclosure practices in which legal firms hired by banks were accused of "robo-signing" documents, which refers to signing documents by machine that had not even been read.
"This is robo-signing redux," said Peter Holland, director of the the Consumer Protection Clinic at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
After a recent debt-recovery trial, Judge Dear said a witness for the lender had provided "robo-testimony," which could be defined as testimony so generic that the specific case in question was being ignored, the newspaper reported.
"We strongly disagree with Judge Dear's comments and believe that we have a strong process in place to ensure accuracy of testimony and affidavits provided to courts," said Sonya Conway, a spokeswoman for American Express.
Regulators, however, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Futures Trading Commission, are looking into debt collecting issues.
"Our concerns center on the fact that debt collection lawsuits are a pure volume business," FTC assistant director Tom Pahl told the Times.


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Junior's retirement stirs fellow players
Griffey made annoucement Wednesday after 21-year career
Ken Griffey Jr.'s decision to retire on Wednesday caught almost everyone in baseball by surprise, judging by the fact his name was listed as a reserve on the Mariners' lineup card for their game against the Twins that night.
"While I feel I am still able to make a contribution on the field, and nobody in the Mariners front office has asked me to retire, I told the Mariners when I met with them before the 2009 season and was invited back, that I will never allow myself to become a distraction," Griffey's retirement statement said, as reported by the Seattle Times.
"I feel that without enough occasional starts to be sharper coming off the bench, my continued presence as a player would be an unfair distraction to my teammates, and their success as a team is what the ultimate goal should be."
Griffey, 40, is fifth on the all-time home run list with 630.
Junior was Span's hero as a young player: Denard Span was fully prepared to walk across the infield at Safeco Field in Seattle on Wednesday and ask for a pregame autograph from Ken Griffey Jr., only to find out that Griffey wasn't there. Instead, he'd announced his retirement.
"I'm still shocked," Span told MLB.com. "I came out here to ask him if he would autograph a jersey for me because he is and was -- now I can say was -- my favorite player growing up. But he's arguably one of the reasons why I play this game. I remember being younger and getting the opportunity to watch him in person when I was in middle school. He'll never be forgotten in this game."
Bruce puts Griffey in 'top five, top 10': Jay Bruce is among the many players who will miss Ken Griffey Jr., noting that he's been a fan of 'The Kid' as long as he can remember. In 2008, Bruce and Griffey were teammates with the Reds.
"He's been playing most of my life," Bruce told MLB.com. "Whew, it's surreal to hear him say he's done. To me, he's definitely one of the top five, top 10 players to ever step on the field."
Lincecum thankful for memories Griffey created: A native of suburban Seattle, Tim Lincecum grew up a big fan of Ken Griffey Jr. Lincecum was 11 years old when Griffey led the Mariners to the playoffs in 1995.
Lincecum told the San Francisco Chronicle that Griffey was "the epitome of Seattle baseball, pretty much, him and Randy [Johnson]. ... He was that new face. They called him 'The Kid' and all that stuff. He was making those spectacular catches.
"It seemed like he was having fun. It was almost like watching a different Pablo [Sandoval], just really enjoying himself out there."
Kearns all wet after trip to Junior's house: When Austin Kearns was a rookie, he had the "pleasure" of being a teammate of Ken Griffey Jr. One particular memory still lingers to this day.
"We had an off-day, and him and [Barry Larkin] took me and Adam [Dunn] to their house," Kearns told MLB.com. "They lived in the same neighborhood, and it was connected by a lake. I was told to get one of the jet skis and go to Junior's house and fill it up with gas.
"Well, little did I know it had maybe a drop of gas in it, so I was about halfway there and it just stopped. They left me out on the middle of the lake on this jet ski for about an hour, soaking wet. I get back, and I only had one change of clothes. All my dry clothes, they had put on. So I didn't have any change of clothes after sitting in the water for an hour."
Arroyo remembers Junior's passion: While discussing the retirement of Ken Griffey Jr., Bronson Arroyo talked about Griffey as a teammate.
"When you have guys that are superstars on the level that he was on, nobody really knows unless you play with them, what kind of guy he really is behind the scenes," Arroyo told MLB.com. "Griff was happy-go-lucky every day. Everybody enjoyed being around him all the time.
"I enjoyed him because he didn't always just talk about baseball. He'd talk about flying his plane or whatever, and you'd just see he was kind of a kid. He was always enthusiastic about the things he was passionate about. That's the first and foremost thing I will remember about him."
Morneau gained appreciation for Griffey after talk: Justin Morneau recalled a talk with Ken Griffey Jr. during Spring Training a few years back.
"He was just joking around with me," Morneau told MLB.com. "It was a very happy moment for me. Sometimes you can get there and the guys you look up to can let you down a bit. But he was one of those guys who treated me like I had been in the league for 10 years. Just had a conversation with me, and I thought that was pretty cool."
Griffey provided Ross with early laughs: Cody Ross grew up a Ken Griffey Jr. fan and was briefly teammates with him on the Reds in 2006.
"He was a stand-up guy, one of the nicest teammates I've ever been around," Ross told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "And he didn't have to be -- because he was Ken Griffey Jr."
Their introduction went like this: "He came up to me and said, 'Congratulations.' And he looked down at me and goes, 'Man, you look a lot bigger on TV.' Right there he broke the ice."
Crosby starts trend with mustache: In order to try to bring his Pittsburgh teammates together and add a little more fun to the grind, Bobby Crosby came up with the idea of team mustaches.
"I don't think we're the best looking team anymore, but we're having fun," Crosby told MLB.com. "I think if you would go to most teams and say, 'Hey, we're going to grow mustaches,' they would turn it down. But everyone was pretty cool with it and wanted to run with it and see where it goes. As long as it's working and we're winning, we're going to keep it."
Overbay credits footwork for surge: Lyle Overbay has been studying video of his at-bats from 2006, when he hit .312 with 46 doubles, 22 home runs and 92 RBIs. Entering Thursday's game, he was 10-for-18 in his last five games and hitting line drive after line drive.
"It's about feeling comfortable, and I'm seeing the ball better," Overbay told the Toronto Sun. "The last couple of days I've been able to put a good swing on it. I haven't felt comfortable all year until these last three days."
Smoak riding hot streak: After going 1-for-3 on Thursday with an RBI, rookie Justin Smoak has five hits in his last 14 at-bats (.357) with two runs scored, one double, one home run and three RBIs for the Rangers. Smoak has also walked six times in his past five games and struck out only four times.
Smoak said he regrouped after Friday's game and stopped pressing.
"When you get all geared up at the plate, trying to do too much, you're swinging at pitches you shouldn't swing at and taking pitches you shouldn't take," he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "The biggest key, to relax at the plate and let the ball come to you. Don't try to go out and get it."
Cano continues to impress at plate: Robinson Cano entered the weekend with a 17-game hitting streak and was hitting .373 with a team-high 12 home runs and 43 RBIs.
"He's going to win a couple of batting titles. I just hope he continues what he started," teammate Jorge Posada told the New York Post of Cano. "He's seeing everything good. He feels good at the plate. I bet it looks like a big softball when the ball is thrown every time it gets to the plate."
Abreu puts team first with patience at plate: Angels manager Mike Scioscia thinks Bobby Abreu's patience at the plate -- a benefit for the team -- has cost him hundreds of hits in his career.
"If he didn't work counts, and he swung at more pitches, he'd be near 3,000 hits," Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "He could easily have 30 to 40 more hits a year if he didn't walk 100 times.
"But that's how he plays. He plays to win. I hope people will appreciate that more when they start to consider him for the Hall of Fame. He's been a terrific player for a long time."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The theft, probably an inside job, has the hospitality and bartending world abuzz: Who stole dozens of cases of small-batch Van Winkle bourbon and rye from the Buffalo Trace distillery's Kentucky warehouse?
Most egregiously, at least for cultish bourbon lovers, the thief took 195 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle 20-year bourbon, which retails for $130 a bottle (and can fetch much more on the secondary market, once the retail supplies have evaporated), sometime in the last two months, perhaps a case or two at a time.
Total retail value? About $26,000 -- and what was already a rare release now has become that much rarer, and that much harder to sample this autumn.
But you can sample it Friday at the Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival.
Six years ago, it was an intriguing but ragged jug of unaged moonshine; today, it's matured into something more pleasant and refined. Now in its seventh year, the novelty of the Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival may have worn off, but the novelty of trying rare, expensive and newly released spirits never does.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board had been getting calls about whether it would receive its allocation of Pappy 20-year, said Chandler Carranza, PLCB spirits category manager.
They got it, he said. And Friday may be your best shot to taste it, since the stuff usually sells out two hours after the PLCB makes it available for purchase online.
The PLCB-sponsored festival, at Rivers Casino after spending its first five years at Heinz Field, will start at 6 p.m. Friday. This year, a portion of the proceeds from the festival go to Team Tassy, a Pittsburgh non-profit that fights poverty in Haiti.
As with years past, the festival will feature tasting of not just rare and expensive whiskies, but also premium brands of tequila, rum, cognac, gin and vodka.
Mr. Carranza said those who attend can sample Jack Daniel's new "Winter Jack" apple whiskey, which to date has been released only in Europe and New Hampshire; the new, seasonal Jagermeister Spice; Johnnie Walker "platinum" label; and Wild Turkey "Forgiven" rye-bourbon blend which, according to Wild Turkey's marketers, was created by mistake when a distiller accidentally mixed rye and bourbon together.
This year's festival has a Halloween and masquerade theme; to buy tickets, visit pittsburghwhiskeyfestival.com.
Bill Toland: email@example.com or 412-263-2625; on Twitter @btoland_pg.


text: As many of you already know,society has changed a great deal in the 30 years since The Motion Picture came out.And so has the traditional moviegoer. Today the average Joe doesn't have the attention span for a movie like that.Us fans love nothing better then an in depth story of great sophistication combined with powerful action scenes.In the reel world (heh) such a movie would be a commercial flop. There's a reason a flashy, jittercam Trek movie is so successful-because modern audiences have neither the attention span or the IQ required to address a deep plot.Look at Inception; a lot of people hated the movie because they couldn't grasp the plot,to say nothing of the deeper philosophical themes. The dilemma the next creative team for Trek has is making a movie as smart as Inception was,without alienating a mass audience.Its no small challenge;the highest grossing movies in recent history like Avatar and Titanic have simplistic stories,thin characters,and more plot holes then ST First Contact. I suppose the real question is if its even possible to make such a movie?


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Dirks may return Saturday; Garcia unlikely
By Joey Nowak / MLB.com
VIERA, Fla. -- Manager Jim Leyland said Andy Dirks' status remains "unchanged" and that he is more likely to see the field this weekend, perhaps Saturday, than fellow outfielder Avisail Garcia.
Dirks was originally scheduled to make the trip to Viera on Friday, but was scratched because of a bruised right knee after he ran into the outfield wall chasing a fly ball Wednesday.
As for Garcia, he is off crutches but still considered day to day as he recovers from a right heel bruise that has kept him out of action for the last week.
"I would say, no," Leyland said when asked if there was a chance Garcia could play Saturday against the Yankees. "I would say the possibility of Dirks tomorrow. He was a little better today, but there was no sense bringing him. He didn't really do anything yesterday. He didn't even take BP because it was bothering him, so we'll probably give him a good day, full treatment all night long and again this morning, and hopefully he'll be ready tomorrow."
Dirks is hitting .289 with seven runs, one homer and three RBIs in 14 spring games. Garcia has appeared in 17 games, hitting .206 with three RBIs.
Bullpen decisions likely to wait until end of camp
VIERA, Fla. -- It remains likely that the battle for the Tigers' last few bullpen spots will come down to the final days of camp. And if manager Jim Leyland knows how it's going to shake out, he's not saying.
"That would be totally wrong [to say there are four spots open]," Leyland said, after acknowledging that the team entered spring with three spots (Phil Coke, Octavio Dotel and Joaquin Benoit) accounted for.
Those three entered as a sure thing, with as many as seven other relievers competing for what amounts to four spots: Al Alburquerque, Brayan Villarreal, Luis Marte, Bruce Rondon, Luke Putkonen, Darin Downs and Kyle Lobstein.
"There's going to be a lot of talent in the bullpen. It's a matter of how you set it up, and that's not decided yet," Leyland said. "I can tell you this: Most of the bullpen has been decided, but not all of it. And certainly what hasn't been decided is how we're going to maneuver that bullpen."
The dilemma includes who will close, after Rondon was widely considered the frontrunner to take over the role but struggled early in spring. He's pitched better his last six outings, while Alburquerque has struggled in his last two.
As far as any upcoming cuts, Leyland said: "We have not even discussed when the next trimming of the roster will come."
Worth noting
• Prince Fielder's trip to Viera on Friday was a homecoming of sorts, as the Tigers slugger grew up playing just down the road at Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne.
"I haven't lived here since 2002, so I don't really know it that much anymore," Fielder said. "I grew up here, lots of memories."
Space Coast Stadium was built in 1994 and was the Spring Training home of the Marlins before the Nationals arrived in 2005.
"I didn't come here when it was built, not until now, really," Fielder said. "I might have been once or twice. [The area's] a lot different."
• Leyland said he will take most everyone on the overnight trip Sunday (against the Mets in Port St. Lucie) and Monday (against the Marlins in Jupiter), but Fielder and Victor Martinez will have the day off Monday after playing Sunday, since they made the trip to Viera on Friday.
"The guys that are staying back today -- [Miguel Cabrera] and those guys -- they'll play both those games," Leyland said. "These guys are playing their game today. Works out pretty good."
• When asked about keeping an eye on Alex Avila's knees this spring and into the regular season, Leyland said: "That's not even an issue anymore. We've watched him pretty good and I think he feels 100 percent. In saying that, no player goes through the season without some wear and tear and getting sore from time to time, so I'm sure that's going to pop up. But we'll be prepared for that. But let me put it this way -- Alex Avila hasn't been on a medical sheet all spring."
Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Jackson, Quentin earn weekly honor
D-backs righty tosses no-hitter; White Sox slugger totals 11 RBIs
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
Jackson, who made just one start last week, threw his no-hitter on Friday against Tampa Bay. And it was hardly a garden-variety no-no: Jackson walked eight batters, the third-highest walk total in the history of no-hitters. The right-hander threw 149 pitches -- the highest total in no-hitter history -- and became just the fourth pitcher since 1950 to throw a no-hitter against one of his former teams.
Quentin, meanwhile, has been a huge factor in his team's extended winning streak. Quentin drove in 11 runs in six games played, and he helped spark the White Sox to an 11-game winning streak. The outfielder batted .389 (7-for-18) and delivered five extra-base hits. Quentin also scored five runs and posted a .522 on-base percentage and a 1.111 slugging mark last week.
Both Jackson and Quentin qualified as a first-time Player of the Week, and both players will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches. Quentin, who had three multihit and three three-RBI games last week, edged out Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton and Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez en route to the Player of the Week designation.
Jackson, whose no-hitter was just the second in Arizona's franchise history, was chosen over an even deeper group that included teammates Justin Upton and Rodrigo Lopez. A trio of Phillies (Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and Jamie Moyer) and three Reds (Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen) were also considered for the award, as were several other players.
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Bankers Score Big Victory with TAG Procedural Vote
A procedural Senate vote Tuesday to consider S. 3637, which would extend the Transaction Account Guarantee, won by a significant margin of 76-20, according to the official roll call posted on the Senate website.
All Senate Democrats voted yes on the measure, with the exception of Sens. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, who did not cast votes. All 20 "nay" votes were cast by Senate Republicans.
Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) immediately filed a cloture motion to proceed directly to a vote on the bill itself, which could happen as early as Thursday morning.
Reid also filled the amendment tree on the bill, which means amendments will not be allowed. That's a big win for banks, because it kills the possibility that credit union legislation that would raise the member business lending cap could be attached to the bill.
Shortly following the vote, CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney said in an email to CUNA Board members and affiliated league leaders that he expects a senator to "make a point of order against the legislation because it violates pay-as-you-go budget rules."
Cheney said CUNA expects several senators who voted yes to proceed with the bill will change their vote on the point of order and/or the final passage vote.
In a statement, Cheney said "We intend to continue our opposition to TAG as the extension of the program is risky, unnecessary and has not proven to inspire additional bank business lending. In the meantime, we will continue to advocate for our business lending legislation as a way of truly stimulating additional lending. When conditions in the Senate present us with an opportunity, we will be more than happy to seize it."


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Saying it's getting old might be a little bit of an understatement for this Cubs team. Yet another scrappy effort, and a late inning lead fall by the wayside as the cubs bullpen can't hold a lead once again. Same crap, different day for Kerry Wood as he was the culprit once again. Wood started the 7th inning by walking Furcal on four straight pitches, none of which were close. As is the case so often lead off walks in the late innings usually come back to haunt you, and it did, as the Cardinals put together a rally to tie the game at five. A Matt Carpenter home run in the 8th inning off of James Russell looked like the final nail in the Cubs coffin.
Alfonso Soriano said not so fast as he launched an 0-1 fastball from Jason Motte over the right centerfield wall for his first home run of the season to tie the game at six. The excitement was short-lived however as the Cardinals were able to push across a run in the bottom of the ninth of Dolis to win the game 7-6. The Cubs, specifically Ian Stewart didn't make it easy on the Cardinals as he flashed some major leather in the 9th in an effort to extend the game, unfortunately Yadier Molina had the last laugh. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Continue reading "Same Old Late Inning Story for Cubs"


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Two-time U.S. bronze medalist Agnes Zawadzki announced today she will not compete in the 2014-15 figure skating season.
"After a lot of thought, I have decided to take a personal year this year, Zawadzki said. I am very grateful for all of the opportunities this sport has given me and I am thankful for all of the people who have helped me accomplish so much on the ice.
Zawadzki, who trained in Colorado Springs, Colo., won her first U.S. medal in 2010 when she captured the junior ladies title. She went on to make eight appearances in the Grand Prix Series, earning her highest-ever finish, bronze, at 2012 Rostelecom Cup in Moscow. Zawadzki is the 2012 and 2013 U.S. bronze medalist.
Source: http://usfigureskating.org/Story.asp...242&type=media
Kinda expected.


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This ink pad has a nice selection of colors and a nice point for getting into small spaces on rubber or silicone stamps. The one thing I have found though, is that no matter how you apply it, the ink is rather splotchy when you stamp your image. Other stamp pads I have don't do this.
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text: Checked baggage is excluded in these online fares, but may be added for a fee. Please ensure you read the important fees & charges info for our low cost flights. Advanced bookings are recommended for best availability of cheap flight tickets. Fares are subject to change. Book Air Tickets to Manila with AirAsia - Cheap Airfare to Surabaya starts from PHP 1190 Departing Arriving All-in-fare from From Cebu to Manila PHP 1590 Book now From Kuala Lumpur to Manila RM 314.00 Book now From Kota Kinabalu to Manila RM 179.00 Book now From Cagayan de Oro to Manila PHP 1730 Book now From Shanghai to Manila CNY 474.00 Book now From Davao to Manila PHP 1990 Book now From Puerto Princesa (Palawan) to Manila PHP 1490 Book now From Seoul to Manila KRW 114,500 Book now From Macau to Manila MOP 584 Book now From Tagbilaran to Manila PHP 1590 Book now From Tacloban to Manila PHP 1490 Book now From Kalibo to Manila PHP 1190 Book now From Miri to Manila RM 247.00 Book now


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The June Draft – Day Two
Matt Scioscia attends a Lake Elsinore game in April 2000 with his father, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia.
With the first televised draft in the history books, Major League Baseball got back to business and conducted a more routine draft day.
In the past, with no glare of TV lights, the draft went 20 rounds on Day 1 and 30 rounds on Day 2. But with all the hoo-ha that accompanies a telecast, only five rounds were conducted on Day 1 this year, which meant thirty scouting departments pulled a 45-round marathon yesterday.
It should be noted that an organization's general manager does NOT select the draft picks. That's the scouting director's job. The GM will participate in war room planning, but the scouting director is the expert and he's the one who decides which players to draft.
Baseball America has a complete list of the Angels' draft selections. To pre-emptively counter one of the usual cheap shots posted on Angels boards, the Angels will eventually sign about half of these guys. No, this is not further proof of Bill Stoneman's supposed incompetence. EVERY team signs only about half of their draftees. They know many of these players have other plans, e.g. going on to college or playing pro ball in another sport. The draft is simply about acquiring the sole right to sign a player. It doesn't mean he's a future major league star who's slipped away.
Frankly, teams don't need all fifty of those guys. They have foreign players already under contract who are not subject to the draft, and any player not drafted can be signed as a free agent. Let's also face the reality that when you get beyond the 10th round or so, the talent dropoff is fairly significant. If you look at the Baseball America Draft Almanac, which lists drafts every year through 2003, you'll see that all teams don't sign most of their lower-round picks. Those guys, if they do sign, are typically organizational players filling out rosters at Rookie-A.
For example, yesterday I mentioned that you'll see many players chosen in the lower rounds from Florida. That's because Tom Kotchman wears two hats in the organization — Florida scout and Orem Owlz manager. He knows what he needs to surround top young talent with players who can play supporting roles, e.g. a catcher who can't hit but can call a game, block a ball, and keep baserunners honest.
I count eight Floridians chosen by the Angels this year. Kotch isn't the only Angels scout in Florida, so you can't credit him of all of those picks. He did recommend Jon Bachanov, the first round pick. But one lower round pick who has to be a Tom Kotchman call is 47th rounder William Falasco, a right-handed pitcher from Seminole High School. The Kotchman family lives in Florida. Tom's son Casey, Arkansas Travelers catcher Bobby Wilson and Salt Lake Bees reliever Greg Jones all graduated from Seminole.
Two significant rule changes will affect the negotiation process. Teams have only until August 15 to sign draft picks, otherwise it's wait 'til next year. In the past, teams had until one week before the next draft to sign a player, unless that player attended a four-year college, at which point the rights were lost. A player could maintain his eligibility by attending a junior college, which made him a "draft and follow." But MLB chose to do away with DNFs, so no more hiding out at the local J.C. while negotiating a contract.
The main reason for the rule changes was to reduce signing bonuses. Super-agent Scott Boras — who is technically not a player's "agent" until he signs, he's just an advisor — is the main target, but historically the Angels have been pretty successful with Boras, who lives in nearby Newport Beach. Boras frequents Angels games and is often seen in casual conversation with owner Arte Moreno and with Bill Stoneman. They waited out Chris Bootcheck in 2000, and they waited out Jered Weaver in 2004.
I always laugh when I see some person post on a bulletin board that Boras is "ruining" a player's career. How someone's career is "ruined" by a multi-million dollar payday out of high school or college is beyond me. Bootcheck and Weaver are in the major leagues, hardly "ruined." And in the end, it's the player's call whether to sign. Boras doesn't hold the lad captive in a dungeon. Nor have I ever seen Boras level a pistol at a GM's head. If a team doesn't want to deal with Boras … draft someone else.
Angels scouting director Eddie Bane has maintained predecessor Donny Rowland's philosophy of "high-risk, high-reward" draft picks. Drafting a Boras client is always a risk. But Bane has been pretty successful with high-risk picks that yielded high rewards. One example is Nick Adenhart, who was the top high school pitching prospect in the nation in 2004 until he blew out his elbow and underwent "Tommy John" surgery. The Angels selected him anyway, in the 14th round of the June 2004, paying him about half of what he'd received if he'd been drafted in the first round. The Angels supervised his rehab and patiently brought him along. Now he's a 20-year old top prospect pitching in Double-A ball.
This year's "high risk" candidate is third-rounder Matt Harvey, a right-handed high school pitcher selected out of Connecticut. Harvey is a Boras client who reportedly anticipated a first-round selection. Bane was quoted as saying the chances are "not good" that Harvey will sign for anything less than first-round bonus money. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Another risk is Patrick White, a high school outfielder selected in the 27th round. The Angels drafted White in the fourth round out of high school in 2004. At the time, they thought they had a verbal commitment from him to sign, but then White went to college. Three years later, they'll give him another shot, but according to media reports he'll probably return to West Virginia for his senior year.
Two other names of note … The Angels selected Mike Scioscia's son Matt with the 41st round pick. Matt has already committed to attend Notre Dame, but you never know. I saw Matt at age 11 or so attend a Lake Elsinore Storm game with his dad in April 2000, back when the Storm were an Angels affiliate. Who knew. The other name with a genetic connection is Brandon Lodge. According to the Los Angeles Times, Lodge "is the stepson of former Angels infielder Bobby Grich and the son of television personality Roger Lodge." Brandon was chosen in the 46th round.
For those players who sign quickly, they'll report to a mini-camp at Tempe Diablo, the Angels minor league complex, and will then either report to Orem or remain in Tempe for Arizona League. Hope you boys enjoy 110-degree weather.


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Parker is a specialist in upgrading existing pump and pipe work systems to comply with current industry best practice.
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Darrell Dennis, 47 entered the plea Tuesday in Pulaski County Circuit Court to charges of capital murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery in the May 10 death of Forrest Abrams.
Dennis told reporters as he was being led from the courtroom that he did not kill Abrams.
Prosecutors say they haven't decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Dennis had largely remained free on parole since 2008 despite numerous arrests and felony charges. The case led to investigations by state police, the governor's office and a legislative committee. The state Board of Corrections says there will now be automatic parole revocation hearings for parolees charged with a new felony.


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BERKELEY, Calif. (AP/The Loop) — Most college students put in a monster study session or two. Marina Levina's students get to spend sessions studying monsters.
The course, "Film Topics: Monster Movies," at the University of California, Berkeley, is one of a number around the country that mix scares and scholarship, using zombies, vampires and other ogres to study popular culture.
And, no, it's not a frightfully easy course, says Levina.
"For a lay person, I suppose it does sound like, What? Do you watch horror films all day?" she says. "But it's a really tough class. Students don't automatically do well in it because it does involve a lot of serious theory."
The class, an elective open to mass communication/media studies majors, has space for 50 students and fills up quickly. Students watch monster films and write about what the creatures represent. They also make their own monster films as a final project.
As Halloween approached, the class was studying zombies, looking at the horrors they have represented.
In the 1980s, for instance, zombies personified mindless consumerism. After the Sept. 11 attacks, the raging undead represent "this post-apocalyptic nightmare where we lose control," Levina says.
Not the most attractive characters, zombies mostly want to destroy humanity and have developed disturbing eating habits — they picked up a taste for brains in 1984's "Return of the Living Dead."
See what else the student's from Berkeley had to say about zombies here!
Vampires, on the other hand, are "sexy and hot, they are those things that we would like to be ourselves but can't be," says Levina.
Students find the gore curriculum thought provoking.
"It's my favorite class, even though it is theory heavy," said Azeta Hatef, one of Levina's students.
Maureen Grzan was intrigued by a segment on female werewolves; it turns out they're not all hairy guys. For her class project, she's been inspired to take a different look at another legend, reworking "Hansel and Gretel" — this time, the children are evil.
There's more than monsters to Levina, who teaches an introductory course on media studies as well as one on visual media. In class, she examines zombies as a proxy for viruses, drawing on her specialty in the critical study of science and technology.
At Columbia College Chicago, Brendan Riley teaches a class exclusively on the zombie zeitgeist, starting with movies of the 1930s.
His media studies class, taught in an intensive January session, meets for several hours each day and enrollment usually takes a few rounds. Eager students sign up, get his e-mail about the amount of writing and then back out, making room for more.
Zombies are scary because "they are human and not human at the same time," Riley says. "Freud calls that the 'uncanny.' We're always afraid of losing control."
At Middle Tennessee State University, English professor David Lavery focuses on a late-1990s incarnation of vampires — the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" that follows the adventures of a young woman chosen to fight evil.
Vampires can be used to look at various disciplines, from philosophy to literature to pop culture, says Lavery, who uses the TV series in his graduate courses and also teaches an undergraduate "Buffy" class as an elective in English.
"They relate better so often to these things than they do to 'King Lear,' and as a result I think they're more engaged," he says. "I want them to read 'King Lear,' and I want them to be engaged with that, too, but you've got to get them hooked first."
Some students sign up thinking they're going to get an easy A and then find out "they actually have to read and write."
"That," he says with a laugh, "is the ultimate horror."


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Minor League lefty Pena suspended 100 games
By Quinn Roberts and Steven Petrella / MLB.com
BOSTON -- Major League Baseball suspended Red Sox Minor League left-hander Miguel Pena for 100 games after he tested positive a third time for a drug of abuse. The suspension is effective immediately.
MLB's joint drug prevention and treatment program distinguishes between performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse, which include marijuana, cocaine, LSD and opiates.
In 13 starts with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, the left-hander went 2-2 with a 6.41 ERA. Pena was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.
This is Pena's second suspension in two years. He was suspended for 50 games in April 2013.
Buchholz to make second rehab start Thursday
BOSTON -- Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz will make his second rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, with his pitch count set to increase.
"We need to get him up to 90 pitches or so in this next outing," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.
In his first rehab start with the PawSox, Buchholz went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, including a pair of solo shots, on four hits. He tossed 62 pitches, 42 for strikes.
"Clay went out and accomplished some of the delivery adjustments he's been working on. Overall strikes were improved," Farrell said. "Higher percentage of strikes and better power overall. He also had more defined shape to his pitches."
The right-hander has been on the disabled list since May 28 with a hyperextended left knee.
In 10 starts for Boston this season, he's 2-4 with a 7.02 ERA.
Sox hope Victorino returns during West Coast trip
BOSTON --- The Red Sox are hopeful Shane Victorino will rejoin the club on its West Coast road trip following his rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket this week.
Boston begins a four-game set against the Athletics on Thursday, followed by a three-game series in Seattle. Victorino was scheduled to start for Pawtucket on Monday and Tuesday, when the Sox are home against the Twins.
"We've got a tentative plan in place that has him returning to us while we're on the West Coast, but that doesn't pinpoint an exact day, either," Farrell said. "Whether its Oakland or Seattle, that's to be determined."
Victorino reinjured his left hamstring May 23 and has been on the disabled list since. That same ailment caused him to miss the first 22 games of the season.
Saturday, he went 0-for-2 and played five innings in the field during his first rehab start. Monday and Tuesday, he'll play more, Farrell said.
The Red Sox haven't gotten a lot production from their outfield, and while Victorino's .242/.276/.352 slash line in 21 games hasn't done much to help, the group needs a shot in the arm.
Boston's outfield ranked second to last in the Majors in both average and OPS, and fifth from the bottom in WAR at just 0.1 entering Monday. Still, Farrell doesn't want to rush Victorino back.
"We're going to continue to have some kind of schedule once he returns to us rather than turn him loose for nine innings every day," Farrell said. "He's had this recurring injury twice, so we've got to be mindful."
The club has optioned Daniel Nava to Pawtucket twice this season, but since his return earlier this month, has a .379/.486/.448 slash line in 29 at-bats. Grady Sizemore, hitting .216/.288/.324 in 52 games, has seen reduced time with Brock Holt getting a shot in the outfield because of his hot bat. So with Victorino's return nearing, there will be an odd man out, which could be utility man Jonathan Herrera.
"Provided there are no setbacks, there's going to be a need for a roster decision on his return," Farrell said.
Worth noting
• Felix Doubront didn't allow a hit and struck out 10 in a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket, but Farrell said the next step in the lefty's rehab process hasn't been determined. Doubront has been on the disabled list with a left shoulder strain for more than three weeks.
Will Middlebrooks went 1-for-3 in the first game of a rehab assignment Saturday and was back in the lineup for Pawtucket on Monday. He was the team's designated hitter in that game, but played third base Monday while he recovers from a broken right index finger that has given him more trouble in the field than with a bat.
The Red Sox held Xander Bogaerts out of the lineup with flu-like symptoms Sunday, but he pinch-ran in the ninth and was back Monday, starting at third base and batting second.
Quinn Roberts is a reporter for MLB.com. Steven Petrella is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: I have tried to download and install this product 4 times today. Someone always blocks the installation. I paid $93+ USD for it and it seems someone doesn't want ZoneAlarm to be on my PC. The download was about 300+- mb and it stops shortly after about 53 mb's are loaded. the current time I finally got to work is 10.1.79.0 and a 184.108.40.206. that I downloaded from my purchase. It does not even have the antivirus with it, just the Firewall apparently. The instructions were to deactivate any antivirus you had running so that was the free ZA system I had. Probably one of the various overseas countries got in and stopped it at that time. I just went back to my account and I can no longer find the download. How do I get the product I purchased and can it be run instead of downloaded.


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"The Reds aren't currently working on multiyear pacts with any of their four remaining arbitration-eligible players.
The four are Adam Dunn, Aaron Harang, Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez. "We had some preliminary discussion," GM Dan O'Brien said of Dunn's situation. "But with the clock ticking here, it was decided that the best thing to do was to focus on '06 for the moment and then we can revisit the other topic." Dunn will be eligible for free agency after 2007." Jan. 16 - 1:26 pm et
Source: Cincinnati Post
================================================== ========
Buying out the remaining two years of arbitration is a key bargaining chip in getting Dunn locked into a multiyear deal. O'B is giving away one of the two final years by signing Dunn to a one year deal again and getting nothing in return.
OB has done very little this offseason and yet he doesn't have the time to get a multiyear deal with Dunn completed? I'm not sure how that's possible.
What's the incentive for Dunn to sign a multiyear deal when he only has one year remaining before he hits free agency, as will be the case after this season?
Avoiding the ugly arbitration process and locking in guaranteed cash for the next four seasons are a big motivators for a player. O'B is wasting his bargaining power. Signing Dunn to a one year deal for 2006 and then trying to lock him into a multiyear deal after the season is a significant negotiating mistake. And, the downside of signing Dunn to a multiyear deal is miniscule in comparison to the upside of getting it done.
O'B needs to sign Dunn to a four year deal. Essentially, buy out Dunn's remaining two years of arbitration in exchange for his first two free agent years. That's fair for both sides.
I think the inability to get Dunn locked up in a multiyear deal GREATLY increases the chances that Dunn will test the free agent waters after 2007. And, if Dunn tests the waters, he'll be gone. Cincy can't compete financially with the big boys and can't compete in W/L department either. With only one season before free agency, there's no real reason for Dunn to sign a multiyear deal with Cincy without testing the market first.
This would seem to be yet another example of O'B's inability to manage the MLB roster.


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Consulate General of India
Background: The Consulate General of India in Hambantota was inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister of External Affairs, Shri S.M. Krishna, on 28 November, 2010. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Sri Lanka, Mrs Kumari Balasuriya, Governor of Southern Province, Sri Lanka, Smt. Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary of India and Shri Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India, were present on the occasion.
Consular Jurisdiction: The consular jurisdiction of the Consulate covers the districts of Hambantota, Matara, Galle (Southern Province) and Moneragala (Uwa Province). The Consulate will provide visas and other consular services to people from all these districts. In addition, the consulate will also facilitate educational, cultural and trade interaction of people from these districts with people in India.
Visa Services: The Consulate has been providing visa services since 10 January, 2011. Visa applicants have to fill up the application on-line at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/, then take a print out of the on-line application and then lodge it at the Consulate with two photographs and necessary fees. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of visa required. Visa applications are accepted at the Consulate on every working day between 10 am to 12.30 am and visas are issued next day between 4 pm and 5 pm.
Consul General:
The Consul General is Mr. Raj Kumar . He joined Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in 1984. Since then, he has served in Indian Missions in Tripoli, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, London, Lagos and Panama City.
Mr. Raj Kumar assumed charge as the Consul General of India, Hambantota, on 13 August, 2014.
Website: cgihambantota.com
Address: No. 103, New Road, Hambantota
Tel No. : 047-2222500, 047-2222503
Fax No. : 047-2222501
E-mail: Consul General firstname.lastname@example.com
Administration: email@example.com
Visa: email@example.com
Accounts: email@example.com
|2017-05-20 20:38:52


text:
Excluding the specialty and limited-access forums (Announcements, Bargain Basement, Hot Deals, R&P, Smoky Back Room), there are 22 sub-forums but I'm guessing I'm not the only person who can't follow all of them. Sure, I drop into the others from time to time, especially if an interesting question appears in the Hot Threads list on the front page, but in general I watch seven pretty closely.
Just curious how many the rest of you are into?


text:
Cyprus swings right in presidential election
NICOSIA: Right-winger Nicos Anastasiades has romped to victory in Cyprus's presidential vote, pledging to secure an "earliest possible" bailout for the financially crippled EU state and winning support from the European Commission chief.
Replacing the only communist president in the European Union, the leader of the right-wing Disy party won 57.5 per cent of the vote in a second-round run-off against communist-backed Stavros Malas, who polled 42.5 per cent, final results showed.
"We intend to discuss and co-operate ... with our European partners so as to achieve the earliest possible completion of the MoU [bailout] agreement in a manner that safeguards vulnerable groups, social cohesion and peaceful labour relations," he said in a victory address on Sunday.
Disy spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos said Mr Anastasiades had been given "a clear and strong mandate to battle for Cyprus", in upcoming negotiations with Brussels over the terms of an estimated 17 billion euro ($A22 billion) bailout package.
The result sparked instant celebrations as a large flag-waving crowd gathered outside the winner's Nicosia headquarters and supporters honked car horns and set off firecrackers across the capital.
The 66-year-old, who takes over at the end of the month, said during his campaign he will accept harsh measures required to secure a bailout from the eurozone and IMF, while Mr Malas campaigned on a pro-bailout but anti-austerity ticket.
"The Cypriot people have given Mr Anastasiades a strong mandate to implement his program of reform and to do what it takes to ensure fiscal and financial sustainability," European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement.
The vote came against a backdrop of grim economic news, with the European Commission predicting the Cyprus economy will shrink 3.5 per cent in 2013 after a 2.3 per cent contraction last year.
It said the economy would continue to shrink until 2016.
Unemployment reached 14.7 per cent in January, having more than doubled over the previous 18 months as recession crippled the construction and service industries.
Agence France-Presse
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National Criminal Justice Reference Service Abstracts provides thousands of summaries of important law enforcement and criminal justice publications including books, government reports, research reports, journals, and unpublished research. Content dates range from 1970 to the present. All documents covered are either written in English or have an English-language summary. To facilitate research, the databases also includes a subject-specific thesaurus.
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text:
Washington's role in the aerospace supply chain was the theme Wednesday at the Paris Air Show, where state officials announced that Pacifica Engineering of Bothell plans to open a manufacturing site at Paine Field in Everett.
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., announced the news Wednesday during a conference call with journalists. Larsen said he had met at the air show with leaders from Pacifica's parent, MTorres of Torres de Elorz, Spain, which designs and builds aerospace manufacturing equipment.
Last year, MTorres bought Pacifica Engineering. At the time, Pacifica employed about 60 people, Larsen said. Since then, Pacifica has added 25 workers in Bothell and plans to employ 100 people in Bothell and Everett by year's end.
State officials did not have additional information about Pacifica's plans for Everett, and company officials could not be reached for comment. But a local aerospace executive who did know said that Pacifica will lease 25,000 square feet of space in the building owned by Majestic Glove, on West Casino Road just south of Boeing's big factory near Paine Field.
The Everett plant, which is to open next month, will employ about 20 people, said the executive, who asked not to be named.
Among other things, MTorres and Pacifica specialize in building tools for the manufacture of carbon composites.
The investment by MTorres in an Everett site underscores the message Larsen learned from talking with representatives of aerospace companies at the air show: "Workforce for these folks is the number one issue."
Many aerospace companies, including Boeing rival Airbus, are looking to expand their presence in the U.S. That gives them the advantage of pricing and selling their products using the U.S. dollar rather than the euro.
Larsen led the delegation of Washington economic development officials, business leaders and educators to Paris on behalf of Inslee, who stayed in Olympia during the legislative special session. Inslee joined the conference call from Washington.
The governor emphasized the need for the Legislature to support his education and workforce training initiatives to keep the state's aerospace workforce strong and attractive to outside companies.
He noted that one of every three aerospace jobs in Washington is in the supply chain.
Although 75 percent of Washington aerospace companies do business with Boeing, 40 percent supply Airbus, according to a recent study by the state Department of Commerce. More than 25 percent supply planemakers Embraer and Bombardier.
Washington's aerospace supply chain has "flown under the radar" for too many years, Inslee said. "We haven't given it enough attention."
Larsen met with Airbus leaders Wednesday to hear about interest in growing their supply chain in Washington.
Commerce Director Brian Bonlender, who was with Larsen in Paris, said his department has been trying to help Washington aerospace companies understand Airbus supply-chain strategy.
Washington's workforce provides an advantage over other states in attracting new business from Airbus and from Boeing on projects like the 777X, Inslee said. But that doesn't mean the state's a shoo-in.
"We are going to be competitive for the 777X and for the wing," Inslee said. "But we are building a supply chain for the world."
Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454; firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Since 1966, the Arts Council's volunteer members and professional staff have worked to improve the quality of life in New Jersey by helping the arts to flourish. The Arts Council's array of programs and services are supported by a direct appropriation from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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text:
Alabaster Caverns State Park
Freedom, OK 73842
The highlight of the 200-acre Alabaster Caverns State Park is the cavern formed of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum,...Learn More
The highlight of the 200-acre Alabaster Caverns State Park is the cavern formed of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum,...Learn More
The Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula State Park, located near Canadian in southeastern Oklahoma, features 2,200...Learn More
This 18-hole, par 72 course offers bent grass greens, Bermuda grass tees and fairways, lake views, minimal water hazards...Learn More
Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake...Learn More
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park is located on the northwestern corner of Grand Lake. Known as the "Crappie...Learn More
Black Mesa is located in Oklahoma's panhandle along the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico....Learn More
Boiling Springs State Park, an oasis on the plains, captures some of the finest elements of nature. The park is one...Learn More
Known for its pine-rimmed fairways, Cedar Creek Golf Course in Beavers Bend State Park is one of the most beautiful...Learn More
Cherokee Area at Grand Lake State Park is located in northeastern Oklahoma on the shore of Grand Lake O' The...Learn More
Located in the Cookson Hills, just south of Tahlequah on Lake Tenkiller, Cherokee Landing State Park features 93 RV...Learn More
Clayton Lake State Park, located in southeastern Oklahoma's Kiamichi Mountains, features 500 acres of lodging,...Learn More
Located by the flood gates of the Pensacola Dam at Grand Lake, the Disney Area at Grand Lake State Park is...Learn More
Located in southwest Oklahoma near Fort Cobb, Fort Cobb State Park offers visitors a variety of activities and...Learn More
This 18-hole, par 70 course offers bent grass greens, Bermuda grass tees and fairways, a wide open front nine,...Learn More
Foss State Park is located in western Oklahoma on Foss Lake. Recreational activities include hiking, biking, disc golf,...Learn More
An hour west of Enid in the rural town of Fairview rests a true Oklahoma treasure: Gloss Mountain State Park. The Gloss...Learn More
This golf course is set against the beautiful backdrop of Pensacola Dam with tree-lined fairways, Bermuda greens,...Learn More
At Great Plains State Park, Oklahoma's diverse terrain is showcased while giving visitors a well-rounded vacation...Learn More
Great Salt Plains State Park is one of Oklahoma's most unique state parks. The barren landscape of the...Learn More
Tucked away in the hills of eastern Oklahoma, Greenleaf State Park offers spectacular scenery and is a...Learn More


text: I'm looking for a cheap (<$1500) light dualsport to replace my NX125. I want more power and better suspension but also something lighter and more friendly than my drz400s for tight northeastern trails. I am a fairly slow rider and my usual activity is just exploring trails, not trying to keep up with anyone. I have read tons of rave reviews of the xr250r, and it sounds perfect except that i need a bike that can be plated in PA. I am assuming it's next to impossible to get an XR250R plated here. That leaves me with the xr250l (if i can find one). What are the functional differences between these models? For a 1994 I am finding 108kg/238lbs dry for the R and I can't find a weight for the xr250l. Wikipedia says it weights about 40lbs more. Can the xr250r parts be swapped on to drop the weight down? Is the XR250l as nice to ride as the R or is the suspension significantly downgraded? Any advice or experience is appreciated, thanks!


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Phillies' organization preview, Top 20 Prospects
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
When you're built to win, your prospects sometimes suffer. The Phillies have leveraged their farm system to help bring more talent to the parent club in recent seasons, but they'll still go into Spring Training with an impressive arsenal of arms that could pay dividends down the road.
Joe Jordan, the team's new director of player development, is looking forward to sorting out his options during the exhibition season, but he knows he has some talented pitchers in Trevor May and Brody Colvin that should get their first test against upper-level hitters this summer.
"Nobody's going to benefit more than me from six weeks of Spring Training and getting to see the players," Jordan said of his new job. "I think it will be a good test for them. That's the level you try to get all your best guys to, and that's the level where prospects separate themselves."
Jordan, formerly employed as the scouting director in Baltimore, said he knows many of Philadelphia's farmhands from their days as amateurs. Jesse Biddle, likely to start the season with Class A Advanced Clearwater, is another arm that Jordan will be watching closely.
And while those players are a couple seasons away from the big leagues, the Phils have two relievers -- Justin De Fratus and Phillippe Aumont -- that could help immediately. De Fratus zoomed through the upper levels and made his big league debut last season, while Aumont, a former starting pitcher, seemed to make great progress in his first season out of the bullpen.
"I think they're both guys we're counting on to contribute very soon, and if it doesn't happen right away, at some point in the 2012 season," Jordan said. "The most important thing is that they come into camp healthy and ready to contribute. This is obviously a very good Major League team, and while there's going to be some opportunity in Spring Training, there aren't a whole lot of open jobs."
Top 20 Prospects
The Phillies have prospects and projects on the pitching side of the equation, but they'll also have some hitters to monitor next season. Philadelphia took outfielder Larry Greene with the 39th overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, but he signed too late to make his pro debut.
Catcher Sebastian Valle is another interesting prospect, and shortstop Freddy Galvis will provide depth for Jimmy Rollins. Philadelphia has been active in scouting Latin America, and Lisalberto Bonilla and Leandro Castro both came from the team's efforts in the Dominican Republic.
Jonathan Pettibone, a former third-round draftee, took a big step forward for Clearwater last season, but the Phils are still looking for production from former first-rounder Anthony Hewitt. Hewitt has yet to hit better than .240 at the lower levels and struck out 149 times in 119 games last year.
phillies' top prospects
|Trevor May
|Jesse Biddle
|Brody Colvin
|Larry Greene
|Phillippe Aumont
Under the radar
Sometimes, guys like this crater. And sometimes they turn into Matt Stairs.
Matt Rizzotti has overcome modest Draft position and advanced age at every stop of the Minors to establish himself as a potential sleeper. Rizzotti batted .361 in a half-season for Double-A Reading in 2010, and he returned last year to hit .295 with 24 home runs and a .392 on-base percentage. If Rizzotti can do something similar at Triple-A, he may earn a big league audition.
And if De Fratus or Aumont don't work out, the Phillies may turn again to Michael Schwimer. The right-hander went 9-1 with a 1.85 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 68 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season, and he's managed a 3-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio during his Minor League career.
Hitter of the Year
Valle has proved that he can hit for average and extra bases, but he's yet to really do both in the same season. The 21-year-old is still growing into his game, though, and could be poised for a breakout at Reading, where his responsibilities may include catching May and Colvin.
"He's a very good prospect off what I've seen," Jordan said. "He's a good looking kid, and he's got all the ingredients to be a pretty good offensive catcher if he keeps progressing at the higher levels."
Pitcher of the Year
May has always been able to strike out batters in high volume, but prior to last season, he was also guilty of handing out more than his fair share of walks. That changed in his second year at Clearwater, where he struck out 208 batters and walked just 67 in 151 1/3 innings.
Now the 6-foot-5 right-hander needs to prove he can do that at the upper levels. May allowed just eight home runs at Clearwater last season, and he held opposing hitters to a .221 average.
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.