Jankovich

MIAMI -- With opened arms but closed wallets, the Big East welcomed four new football-playing members into its conference yesterday, and the University of Miami expects to be playing seven conference games soon after 1995.Miami will likely begin playing five conference games by 1993 and is required by contract to do so by 1995, Miami interim athletic director Paul Dee said after yesterday's announcement that West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Rutgers and Temple would join the four-team Big East for football only.

Civil rights tribute set at Fiesta BowlSpurred by controversy over a holiday honoring Martin LutheKing Jr., the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl plans a tribute to civil rights during halftime of the New Year's Day game between Louisville and Alabama.More than 800 singers, dancers and musicians will participate in a show that Fiesta Bowl organizers describe as "the most ambitious and spirited halftime production in the history" of the game."We had planned as far back as this spring to do a tribute to the Bill of Rights," bowl spokesman Brent DeRaad said Friday.

MIAMI -- Despite a 33-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, Miami dropped to third in yesterday's Associated Press sportswriters' poll, while Georgia Tech, idle last weekend, jumped to second.Miami players were so angered by the news that they broke coach Dennis Erickson's week-old ban on talking publicly about bowls or polls."Look at Georgia Tech's schedule," defensive tackle Mark Caesar said. "Their one claim to fame is against a three-loss Virginia. On any given day, we would beat Tech.

Clark, Red Sox agree to 3-year dealBob Welch comes to terms on contract with AthleticsJack Clark left the feuding San Diego Padres yesterday and agreed to a three-year, $8.7 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.Clark, 35, could make as much as $10.2 million if he earns the $500,000 per year in performance bonuses that are available in the deal. The four-time All-Star, returning to the American League after a three-year absence, will be the designated hitter for the Red Sox.Boston has been searching for a cleanup hitter since Jim Rice began slumping in 1987.

Baseball Minnesota Twins -- Placed 3B Mike Pagliarulo (strained right wrist) on the 15-day DL. Activated 1B Kent Hrbek from the disabled list.Montreal Expos -- Assigned P Miguel Batista to Triple-A Indianapolis.New York Yankees -- Announced that the Triple-A Columbus Clippers had purchased the contract of P Scott Holcomb from Double-A Albany-Colonie. Announced that P Kirt Ojala was assigned to Albany-Colonie from extended spring training.Pittsburgh Pirates -- Activated C Don Slaught from the DL. Returned Rule V draft selection Miguel Batista to the Expos.

BASEBALLAmerican League * California Angels -- Released Johnny Ray (second baseman).* Chicago White Sox -- Signed Charlie Hough (pitcher) to a one-year contract.* Detroit Tigers -- Announced they will not offer a contract to Lance McCullers (pitcher).* Milwaukee Brewers -- Acquired Darren Holmes (pitcher) from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Bert Heffernan (catcher). Announced they will not offer a contract to Tom Edens (pitcher).* Toronto Blue Jays -- Announced they will not offer a contract to John Cerutti (pitcher)

If you're planning a career in competitive tennis, you have to start early -- by age 8 or 9. I suspected this was the case, and had it confirmed yesterday while playing in the open qualifying round of the U.S. Tennis Association Women's Satellite Tour of Baltimore at Druid Hill Park Tennis Center.Thirty-six young women -- some as young as 14 -- entered the competition. The average age was 19 or 20.As a 41-year-old recreational player who has only been playing tennis for nine months, I wouldn't normally have considered entering.

MIAMI -- Spoils of success spill into Dennis Erickson's office every morning like a splash of Florida sunshine. Fan mail from boosters. Congratulatory calls from colleagues. Unannounced visits from friends, all wanting to spend a moment with college football's hottest coach.A reporter drops by to inquire about Regular Season No. 3 at the University of Miami, which Erickson has just completed at 11-0.How does it feel, he is asked, to savor perfection?"Haven't had much time," Erickson says.

Baseball National League -- Suspended Cincinnati Reds P Rob Dibble 3 games for throwing at Houston Astros SS Eric Yelding. Suspended Yelding 1 game for charging mound. Both have appealed.Houston Astros -- Placed P Mike Scott (0-2, 12.86 ERA; rotator-cuff tendinitis) on 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 14. Called up P Jim Corsi from Class AAA Tucson.Oakland Athletics -- Placed SS Walt Weiss on 15-day DL.San Francisco Giants -- Optioned P Eric Gunderson (0-0, 5.40 ERA, 1 save in 2 appearances)

Baseball Atlanta Braves -- Signed P Charlie Leibrandt (9-11, 3.16) to a four-year contract.California Angels -- Released 2B Johnny Ray (.277, 5 HRs, 43 RBI) from the final year of his contract. Ray signed a two-year agreement with the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Baseball League.Chicago White Sox -- Signed P Charlie Hough (12-12, 4.07) to a one-year contract.Detroit Tigers -- Announced that P Dan Petry (10-9, 4.45 ERA in 32 games) has accepted salary arbitration. Announced they will not offer a contract to P Lance McCullers (2-0, 3.02)