DCAbloob

Serena Williams leads Washington Kastles to first win of season

2009-07-10T08:33:00.012-04:00

With Serena Williams making the first of her slotted marquee appearances Thursday, the Washington Kastles beat the Boston Lobsters for their first win of the World TeamTennis season.

The 2009 Wimbledon women's champion won across the board for the Kastles in women's singles (5-2), mixed doubles with Leander Paes (5-3) and women's doubles with Rennae Stubbs (5-1) to establish a virtually insurmountable lead for the Kastles. (Info courtesy Tri-Town Transcript).

Of course, no lead is every truly insurmountable in WTT as the Kastles lost the men's doubles segment to force extra time. After three attempts, Paes and Scott Oudsema finally stopped the Lobsters' run to close out the contest.

With a record of 1-4, the Kastles were the final league team to win a contest this 2009. The Kastles will next travel to the New York Sportimes for Friday action before returning to Kastles Stadium at the former convention center site for a Sunday contest against the New York Buzz.
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Steve McNair death ruled result of murder-suicide

2009-07-09T12:16:00.004-04:00

The death of ex-Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was ruled by Nashville police Wednesday to be the result of a murder-suicide, committed by his girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi. McNair was shot four times including twice in the head, Kazemi only once in the head.

Additionally, evidence was uncovered of Kazemi's financial difficulties and her concerns that McNair have been seeing yet another woman on the side. Of course, all the extramarital cheating in the world doesn't justify what Kazemi did to McNair. For all the complaints about affairs being unethical and a violation of trust, unadulterated murder is the ultimate ethical breach.

As for how we should remember the former Titans, Ravens and Alcorn State quarterback, let's just acknowledge the talent that McNair brought to the football field. Separating the professional from the personal has become an art form these past few weeks.
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Metro operators to be fired for texting, cell phone use

2009-07-09T09:58:00.011-04:00

The Metro transit system has announced that employees texting, using PDAs and cell phones while operating Metro vehicles will be fired. Operators will only be permitted cell-phone use for predefined Metro emergencies. The new policy does not affect passenger texting or cell-phone use, just that of the driver/operators.

According to the WMATA press release, the new 'zero tolerance' policy will go into effect Monday to avoid repeats of the disasters that hit systems in Boston and Los Angeles. Of course, recent YouTube footage of a Metro operator texting on duty was likely a more significant motivation for the new one-strike rule.

The previous Metro policy had been to allow progressive suspensions for the first two offenses before termination. After the texting footage was posted to YouTube, the three-strike policy was widely derided across both the Washington, D.C. area public and political spectrums, forcing its alteration.

Metro's new policy comes in the wake of a Virginia law now in effect that banned text messaging while driving in general. Recent controlled reaction time tests point to such texting to be as dangerous a distraction for vehicle operators as drinking. In that context, the new one-strike Metro rule comes as a welcome and long overdue change.
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Stalking charge against Marion Barry dropped by prosecutors

2009-07-09T06:35:00.008-04:00

D.C. Council member Marion Barry no longer has to worry about a stalking charge as federal prosecutors have decided not to pursue a case based on the July 4 incident at Anacostia Park.

As suspected by this blogger, lack of solid evidence combined with a story that has veered into low soap opera likely shied federal prosecutors away from pursuing the case. The aftermath for Barry though may not provide a return to peace and quiet.

Audio tapes surfaced Wednesday via the Washington City Paper that depicted Barry's active pursuit of his then-relationship with accuser Donna Watts-Brighthaupt in graphic and quite disturbing terms. (The City Paper's cover page headline is not printable here.)

More importantly, concerns have been raised over Barry's no-bid, taxpayer funded contractual deal with Watts-Brighthaupt made while they were still actively dating. Calls are already underway for a D.C. Council investigation of the arrangement. While Barry's conduct was clearly unethical, it isn't clear though that any formal ethics rules were violated.
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Santino Quaranta breaks deadlock in U.S. soccer win at RFK

2009-07-09T05:34:00.009-04:00

D.C. United's own Santino Quaranta broken open a scoreless tie in the second half, propelling the United States soccer team to a 2-0 Gold Cup round robin match win over Honduras at RFK Stadium.

Quaranta's goal was a storyline moment for the United player who is seeking a full-time return to United States national team action after his career had been derailed by drug abuse issues. The goal came in the 75th minute of play as Quaranta charged in after a pass from teammate Charlie Davies.

Brian Ching scored a second goal to solidify the outcome and give tens of thousands of U.S. fans time to leave RFK Stadium in a good mood before Metro closed off service. The United States will play its next Gold Cup round robin match Saturday against Haiti in Foxborough, Massaschusetts.
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Washington Kastles fall in home season debut

2009-07-09T05:05:00.006-04:00

The Washington Kastles team tennis squad fell in their home season debut Tuesday, losing in overtime to the Venus Williams-led Philadelphia Freedoms, 23-16.

The Kastles were dominated by Philadelphia, losing all three segments that featured Williams, the women's singles, mixed doubles and women's doubles. Only the men's doubles segment was won by the Kastles which under World TeamTennis' unique rules extended the contest into overtime. The Freedoms won a single postgame point to conclude play.

Combined with a further loss to the St. Louis Aces the subsequent evening, the Kastles are now 0-4 on the young team tennis season. After two more road contests, Washington will next be at home Sunday at 5 p.m. against the New York Buzz.
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Washington Kastles to open 2009 home season

2009-07-07T18:41:00.012-04:00

The Washington Kastles team tennis squad opens home season play for its second year of existence Tuesday, set to meet a rival team led by a former #1 ranked women's tennis superstar.

Just three days off the Wimbledon women's final, runnerup Venus Williams will play at the reconstructed Kastles Stadium as a member of the visiting Philadelphia Freedoms. Venus Williams is one of a number of marquee name competitors who will make appearances over the course of July in the World TeamTennis league.

Though she won't be at the home opener, 2009 Wimbledon champion Serena Williams will return later this season as the Washington Kastles marquee attraction. Full-time Kastles players will hold the fort until then, striving for their first win of the season after two close road losses on the West Coast.
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Marion Barry's attorney calls stalking charge 'baseless'

2009-07-07T06:55:00.013-04:00

At a midday Monday press conference, the attorney for D.C. Council member Marion Barry claimed that the stalking charge lodged against Barry last Saturday was 'baseless.' Frederick Cooke also stated his belief that the charge would not be formally filed by prosecutors at a court hearing Thursday.

The attorney revealed that Barry had been previously involved in a relationship with the accuser, political consultant Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, a relationship that Barry's attorney explained had "run its course." Marion Barry himself did not speak a single word at the press conference.

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Just to further add to the confusion surrounding the incident, Barry's accuser has now taken issue with the U.S. Park Police. Watts-Brighthaupt issued a comment stating that she had never asked the police to stop Barry's vehicle, a direct contradiction of the arresting officer's account.

With three different accounts of the Saturday evening arrest, the Barry camp's belief that the stalking charge won't stand up may well be vindicated. While the situation is growing weirder by the second, weirdness is not a prosecutable offense.
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Washington Wizards radio rights to shift to WJFK/106.7

2009-07-07T06:22:00.009-04:00

Washington Wizards pro basketball games will air on WJFK/106.7 radio for at least the next two seasons, reports the Washington Post's D.C. Sports Bog which cites multiple sources.

The radio rights shift comes in the wake of WJFK's planned format flip from hot talk to a sports talk format. WJFK already is affiliated with Maryland Terrapins football & basketball and Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball.

The Washington Wizards had aired games on WTEM/980, the only local sports talk station in the market before the WJFK flip. With the Wizards' departure though, WTEM would hold local rights to only one Washington, D.C. area pro sports team.

In conjunction with the format switch, the Post also reports that WJFK is seeking additional pro and college sports franchise affiliations. Tops on the list could be the Washington Capitals whose deal with Bonneville to air games on WFED/1500 has expired.
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Washington Times reporter Iason Athanasiadis released from Iran

2009-07-06T08:49:00.009-04:00

Washington Times freelance reporter Iason Athanasiadis was released Sunday from Iran, granted a departure out in what official Iranian authorities called a gesture to the Greek government.

The Greek-British national, a.k.a. Jason Fowden, was the only non-Iranian journalist arrested in connection with the Iranian government's crackdown on post-election protests. Athanasiadis had been working on assignment for the Times covering the Iranian election.

Washington Times executive editor John Solomon issued a statement crediting the Greek government for its efforts to secure the release and the Iranian government for "listening to our private humanitarian pleas." No charges were ever formally filed against the reporter.
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Tiger Woods wins own AT&T National tournament

2009-07-05T22:23:00.010-04:00

Tiger Woods indeed proved the "greedy host" of the 2009 AT&T National golf tournament, scoring a three under par 67 Sunday to take the title by a stroke over Hunter Mahan. The victory was Woods' first AT&T National championship since he first launched the tournament to honor the military.

The promised battle between co-leaders Woods and Anthony Kim proved anticlimatic with Kim unable to sustain his play in the Tiger spotlight, shooting 71 on the final day to finish four strokes behind in third place.

Woods was left instead to chase the shadow of Hunter Mahan. Playing much earlier in the day, the upstart clocked an 8 under par 62 to tie the Congressional course record Kim had set just last Thursday.

With one and a half hours of play left to go for the 54 hole leaders, Mahan reached set a mark of 12 under for the tourney, just one shot below Woods. A bogey on the 11th hole dropped Woods to a tie with Mahan but he recovered for a birdie at 16 to go one up and all but clinch the title win.
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Ex-Ravens quarterback Steve McNair killed

2009-07-05T21:33:00.007-04:00

In a stunner for the football fandom across the nation, ex-Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was found dead Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair had been shot along with a woman later identified as his extramarital girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi.

McNair had established himself as a successful longtime quarterback for the Titans, becoming league MVP and nearly a Super Bowl champion. He was later signed to the Ravens, completing a successful campaign before injury issues limited his 2007 service.

Initial news reports had pointed to the crime being a murder-suicide, reports that in retrospect seem accurate but not in the way most of us would have originally expected. McNair was shot four times, including twice in the head, while Kazemi suffered one gunshot wound to the head.

The closest parallel sadly is not to the double murder/suicide committed by pro wrestler Chris Benoit but the tragic death of actor Phil Hartman, killed by his own troubled wife about a decade ago.
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Anthony Kim ties Tiger Woods thru 54 at AT&T National

2009-07-05T12:17:00.003-04:00

Anthony Kim came surging back in third round action of the AT&T National golf tournament, hitting a two-under par 68 to tie Tiger Woods for the 54 hole lead. Woods held a one shot lead after two rounds and briefly extended that lead to three shots Saturday before faltering on the later holes of the Congressional course.

Michael Allen and Cameron Beckman trailed the leaders after the third round, one shot behind at 9 under par. Allen shot the best round for Saturday at a 5 under par 65. Jim Furyk and Rod Pampling were two shots off the pace.

Barring another sudden surge from the pack though, the fourth round sets up as a confrontation between tournament host Woods and defending tournament champion Kim. For the first time ever, both men will play in the same group with a scheduled 2:20 p.m. EDT tee time, weather permitting.
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D.C. Council member Marion Barry arrested for stalking

2009-07-05T11:45:00.009-04:00

D.C. Council member Marion Barry was arrested late Saturday by U.S. Park Police on a charge of misdemeanor stalking. The story was first reported by WRC/4 in Washington, D.C. and later confirmed by other sources.

According to the Park Police's version of events, a woman traveling in a motor vehicle through Southeast D.C.'s Anacostia Park flagged down Park Police to complain about being stalked by a trailing motorist. The police officer subsequently questioned that motorist who turned out to be ex-mayor Barry. After being taken into custody, Barry was booked on the stalking charge and subsequently released.

The ex-mayor has a rich history of complaints about being harassed by the park police. Either the arrest is proof of the mayor's claim or more possibly, an ironic twist in which Barry himself has become a harasser. On a side note, Marion Barry still is under federal probation for his past failure to file and pay income taxes. It isn't clear that this latest charge would cause a revocation of that probation.
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Baysox schedule (Jul. 6-12)

2009-07-05T10:55:00.010-04:00

The Bowie Baysox pro baseball schedule for next week is below. Home games at Prince George's Stadium (Bowie, MD). All times EDT.

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Monday, July 6
Bowie Baysox at Altoona Curve, 7:05 p.m.
Altoona 12-3

Tuesday, July 7
Harrisburg Senators at Bowie Baysox, 7:05 p.m.
Bowie 6-0

Wednesday, July 8
Harrisburg Senators at Bowie Baysox, 7:05 p.m.
Harrisburg 7-4

Thursday, July 9
Harrisburg Senators at Bowie Baysox, 12:05 p.m.
Bowie 3-2

Friday, July 10
Altoona Curve at Bowie Baysox, 7:05 p.m.
Edge-radio.com

Saturday, July 11
Altoona Curve at Bowie Baysox, 7:05 p.m.
Edge-radio.com

Sunday, July 12
Altoona Curve at Bowie Baysox, 6:05 p.m.
Edge-radio.com
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P-Nats schedule (Jul. 6-12)

2009-07-05T10:45:00.008-04:00

The Potomac Nationals pro baseball schedule for next week is below.
Home games at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium (Woodbridge, VA). All times EDT.

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Tuesday, July 7
Potomac Nationals at Myrtle Beach Pelicans, 7:05 p.m.
Potomac 10-1

Wednesday, July 8
Potomac Nationals at Myrtle Beach Pelicans, 7:05 p.m.
Potomac 9-0

Thursday, July 9
Potomac Nationals at Myrtle Beach Pelicans, 7:05 p.m.
Myrtle Beach 6-5 (10)

Friday, July 10
Kinston Indians at Potomac Nationals, 7 p.m.
Milb.com

Saturday, July 11
Kinston Indians at Potomac Nationals, 7 p.m.
Milb.com

Sunday, July 12
Kinston Indians at Potomac Nationals, 2 p.m.
Milb.com
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Keys schedule (Jul. 6-12)

2009-07-05T10:24:00.007-04:00

The Frederick Keys pro baseball schedule for next week is below. Home games at Harry Grove Stadium (Frederick, MD). All times EDT.

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Tuesday, July 7
Frederick Keys at Kinston Indians, 7 p.m.
Frederick 11-5

Wednesday, July 8
Frederick Keys at Kinston Indians, 7 p.m.
Frederick 6-2

Thursday, July 9
Frederick Keys at Kinston Indians, 7 p.m.
Frederick 4-2

Friday, July 10
Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Frederick Keys, 7 p.m.
Milb.com

Saturday, July 11
Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Frederick Keys, 7 p.m.
Milb.com

Sunday, July 12
Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Frederick Keys, 7 p.m.
Milb.com
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Blue Crabs schedule (Jul. 6-12)

2009-07-05T10:06:00.008-04:00

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs pro baseball schedule for the week is below. Home games at Regency Furniture Stadium (Waldorf, MD). All times EDT.

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Monday, July 6
Lancaster Barnstormers at Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 7:05 p.m.
Lancaster 9-8 (13)

Tuesday, July 7
Lancaster Barnstormers at Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 7:05 p.m.
Lancaster 12-10

Wednesday, July 8
Lancaster Barnstormers at Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 11:05 a.m.
Southern Maryland 6-1

Thursday, July 9
Camden Riversharks at Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 6:35 p.m.
Southern Maryland 6-3

Friday, July 10
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Long Island Ducks, 7:05 p.m.
SoMdBlueCrabs.com

Saturday, July 11
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Long Island Ducks, 7:05 p.m.
SoMdBlueCrabs.com

Sunday, July 12
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Long Island Ducks, 5:05 p.m.
SoMdBlueCrabs.com
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Nationals schedule (Jul. 6-12)

2009-07-05T09:45:00.010-04:00

The Washington Nationals pro baseball schedule for the next week is below. Home games at Nationals Park (Washington, DC). All times EDT.

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Monday, July 6
Washington Nationals at Colorado Rockies, 8:40 p.m.
Colorado 1-0

Tuesday, July 7
Washington Nationals at Colorado Rockies, 8:40 p.m.
Colorado 5-4

Wednesday, July 8
Washington Nationals at Colorado Rockies, 3:10 p.m.
Colorado 10-4

Thursday, July 9
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros (dh), 7:05 p.m.
Washington 11-10 (11), Houston 9-4

Friday, July 10
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros, 8:05 p.m.
MASN, WFED/1500, WWFD/820, WZAA/1050, XM/185

Saturday, July 11
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros, 7:05 p.m.
MASN, WFED/1500, WWFD/820, WZAA/1050, XM/184

Sunday, July 12
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros, 2:05 p.m.
WDCW/50, MASN, WFED/1500, WWFD/820, WZAA/1050, XM/185
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Mystics schedule (Jul. 6-12)

2009-07-05T09:23:00.003-04:00

The Washington Mystics women's pro basketball schedule for the week is below. Home games at Verizon Center (Washington, DC). All times EDT.

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Tuesday, July 7
Washington Mystics at Minnesota Lynx, 8 p.m.
Minnesota 96-94 (ot)

Saturday, July 11
Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics, 7 p.m.
WNBA.com
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Bayhawks schedule (Jul. 6-26)

2009-07-05T08:55:00.002-04:00

The Washington Bayhawks pro lacrosse schedule for the next 3 weeks is below. Home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Md.) All times EDT.

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Saturday, July 18
Denver Outlaws at Washington Bayhawks, 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 25
Washington Bayhawks at Chicago Machine, 8 p.m.
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United schedule (Jul. 6-26)

2009-07-05T08:35:00.004-04:00

The D.C. United men's pro soccer schedule for the next 3 weeks is below.
Most home matches at RFK Stadium (Washington, DC). All times EDT.
Asterisked matches at Maryland SoccerPlex (Boyds, MD).

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Tuesday, July 7
U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal
Harrisburg City Islanders at D.C. United*, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. 2-1

Saturday, July 18
Colorado Rapids at D.C. United, 8 p.m.
Comcast SportsNet, WZAA/1050, MLSnet.com

Tuesday, July 21
U.S. Open Cup semifinal
Rochester Rhinos at D.C. United*, 7:30 p.m.
WZAA/1050

Saturday, July 25
D.C. United at San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m.
Fox Soccer Channel, WZAA/1050, MLSnet.com
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Freedom schedule (Jul. 6-26)

2009-07-05T08:12:00.005-04:00

The Washington Freedom women's pro soccer schedule for next 3 weeks is below.
Most home matches at Maryland SoccerPlex (Boyds, MD). Asterisked match at RFK Stadium.
All times EDT.

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Wednesday, July 15
Washington Freedom at Sky Blue FC, 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 18
Saint Louis Athletica at Washington Freedom*, 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 26
Washington Freedom at Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m.
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Divas schedule (Jul. 6-26)

2009-07-05T07:34:00.005-04:00

The D.C. Divas women's football schedule for the next 3 weeks is below. Home games at Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex (Landover, MD). All times EDT.

---- All games postseason. ----

Saturday, July 11
Eastern Conference championship
D.C. Divas at Boston Militia, 6 p.m.
DCDivas.com, DCDivas.com

Saturday, July 25
IWFL league championship (@ Round Rock, Tex.)
D.C./Boston vs. Kansas City/Chicago, 8 p.m.
DCDivas.com

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Maniacs schedule (Jul. 6-26)

2009-07-05T07:22:00.002-04:00

The Maryland Maniacs indoor football schedule for the next 3 weeks is below. Home games at The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, MD). All times EDT.

---- All games postseason. ----

weekend of Saturday, July 25
IFL divisional playoff game
Maryland Maniacs at Rochester/RiverCity, TBD
B2TV.com
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