TWO WOMEN'S SOCCER SIDES STILL TALKING: USA TODAY's
Peter Brewington reports that "with discussions ongoing"
between MLS and the Women's United Soccer Association, the
USSF has "again extended the deadline" for MLS to file an
application for a women's pro soccer league. The two sides
"hope to forge an agreement" (USA TODAY, 5/18).
CAL ON THE RECORD: Orioles 3B Cal Ripken Jr. appeared
yesterday on FSN's "Open Mic" segment and said of today's
MLB players: "I think the business side has impacted the
sport, and some players actually see themselves as
entertainers. I still consider myself a sportsman or a
baseball player." Ripken, on what he would do if he were
named MLB commissioner for a day: "What I would do is have
Monday through Friday all night games, and Saturday and
Sunday all day games. It would make the weekends something
the family could come watch" ("TNSR," FSN, 5/17).
IHL ATTENDANCE: In Grand Rapids, MI, Joe Conklin wrote
that the IHL Griffins' front office "is trying to generate
excitement" in the team as it plays in the Eastern
Conference Finals. A plane flew over local ballpark River
Bank Run Field advertising Game Two of their matchup against
the Cyclones. Conklin: "It's become apparent over the last
two weeks that a major hurdle in minor-league hockey is
keeping neutral fans interested after nine months. That may
be Mission Impossible because the season is so long" (GRAND
RAPIDS PRESS, 5/17).
