Lacrosse League

Katherine Marie Struck, a former budget analyst and youth lacrosse league founder, died of breast cancer Sunday at her Odenton home. She was 46. Born in St. Louis, she was the daughter of John J. "Jack" McMahon, a former professional basketball player and coach. She was raised around the country while her father held positions with the Cincinnati Royals, the San Diego Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1979 from what is now McDaniel College and was a budget analyst for the Navy in Washington from 1980 until 1993.

Youth lacrosse Martin named director of Charm City league Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler , founder of the nonprofit Charm City Youth Lacrosse League, and league president Miles Harrison announced Thursday that Jody Martin has been named executive director of the league. Martin has served as men's division director at USLacrosse since the organization's inception in 1998 and was director of membership and chapters at the Lacrosse Foundation from 1994 to 1998.

If the Baltimore Thunder is going to reach the Major Indoor Lacrosse League championship game again, it will have to be without star goalie Jeff Gombar.Only a few weeks before its opener against the Boston Blazers Dec. 27 at the Baltimore Arena, the Thunder learned that Gombar will not return from British Columbia.Gombar wanted to enroll in a master's degree program in business at an area college and obtain what he called a "meaningful" job here for the indoor lacrosse season, but was unable to do either.

In the last regular-season action of the Harford Men's Summer Lacrosse League, the Hinder Ford, Just Extreme Graphics, Bill Bateman's and Brick Bodies squads earned victories on Sunday afternoon. The closest of Sunday's contests saw the Hinder Ford side edge past the Main Street Tower men 9-8. Owen Jordan and Brian Zink led the winning squad, with each finding the opposing net three times. Luke Phipps had two goals and one assist in the victory, while teammate Thomas Hinder netted one goal.

Thunder forward Gary Gait, who led the National Lacrosse League this season in scoring with 57 goals and 28 assists, was named winner of the NLL's Most Valuable Player Award yesterday, the fourth straight year he has received the honor.Gait, 31, acquired by the Thunder from Philadelphia in a mid-December trade, dominated the now-defunct Major Indoor Lacrosse League throughout the 1990s, earning first-team All-Pro honors the last seven years and claiming the league's MVP award the previous three.

The "bona fide star" that Thunder coach John Tucker lamented that his team painfully lacked last season has finally arrived.Gary Gait, perhaps the sport's greatest offensive player, made it official yesterday by signing with the Thunder.He will be in uniform when Baltimore opens its inaugural National Lacrosse League season against the Syracuse Smash and his twin brother, Paul, on Jan. 3 at Baltimore Arena."I think this is really the missing piece of the puzzle," said Tucker. "Gary can do things that no one else can do. He is the Michael Jordan of our sport."

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Announced OF David Justice will be placed on the 15-day DL, effective today, with a torn ligament in his right shoulder. Purchased the contract of OF Brian Kowitz from Triple-A Richmond.Orioles -- Recalled OF Curtis Goodwin and C Cesar Devarez from Triple-A Rochester. Placed OF Andy Van Slyke on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 31. Sent OF Damon Buford to Rochester.Chicago Cubs -- Agreed to terms with C Rick Wilkins on a one-year contract. Released OF Felix Jose from Triple-A Iowa.

The troubles that killed the Major Soccer League demonstrate the fierce struggle under way for the attention -- and dollars -- of American sports fans.From slo-pitch softball to half-pint basketball, there has rarely been a shortage of sports leagues in this country. And though a few have succeeded, most have not."The highways are littered with the carnage of these leagues," said Alan Friedman, editor of Team Marketing Report, a Chicago-based sports marketing newsletter.Remember the National Box Lacrosse League?

BaseballCalifornia Angels -- Released 3B Gary Gaetti.Milwaukee Brewers -- Placed IF Bill Doran (shoulder) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 26; recalled IF William Suero from Triple-A New Orleans.Arizona Fall League -- Named Steve Cobb director of marketing, effective June 14.CollegeAllegheny -- Named John Wilcher women's lacrosse coach.Butler -- Named Jerry Francis men's assistant basketball coach.Colgate -- Announced the resignation of Heidi Hazen, women's softball coach.Kings Point -- Named Joe Assante men's assistant soccer coach.

ARE YOUR KIDS excited or in a state of denial?2 Do not leave food out for more than two hours.AIA meetings to beginArundel Improvement Association will resume its monthly meetings at 8 p.m. Sept. 10.The speaker will be Capt. Emerson Davis, commander of the Northern District Police Station, who will discuss neighborhood police activities.0$ The AIA hall is at 705 Cross St.Fall lacrosseA fall lacrosse league for boys is being sponsored by the North County Lacrosse Association.Boys entering grades three through 12 are invited to play.

Jen Chumley-Pfeiffer, a 2003 graduate of Bel Air High School and iLAX GK Coach and US U-19 National Team GK Coach, makes a save on a shot from NCAA Pre-season player of the year candidate, Ally Carey, a 2008 John Carroll graduate and Vanderbilt University senior, during a women's summer lax league game at Cedar Lane. The league features high school varsity, collegiate and post-collegiate players, playing in a pick-up style league every Wednesday night at Cedar Lane on the turf and under the lights.

In recent Bel Air Women's Summer Lacrosse League action, Little Miss Sunshine knocked off the Black Magic team 12-6, while Save the Ta-Ta's was able to pull out a narrow 8-7 defeat of the Blue Moon team. Playing on Thursday afternoon, Little Miss Sunshine used a big first-half offensive push to grab the victory, outscoring the Black Magic squad 7-2 in the opening frame. In the second half, the two squads were a bit more even, with Black Magic posting four goals, while the winners netted five.

The Navy men's lacrosse team is charting unfamiliar territory. For the first time since 2003, the No. 15 Midshipmen did not win the Patriot League tournament and receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. That means Navy (9-5) must wait until Sunday for the selection committee to determine its postseason fate. "It's really nerve-racking, putting our season in somebody else's hands," senior attackman Nick Mirabito acknowledged. "We had an opportunity to secure that, but we didn't get it done."

Here's what I hope happens: Years from now, Ryan Boyle, the great lacrosse player, looks back on a stellar career in his chosen sport - from Gilman to Princeton to professional teams in New York and Philadelphia - and he declares the Baltimore Youth Lacrosse League his most important accomplishment. I hope the league is a success and that it lasts forever. Except for a clinic the league held on a rainy, muddy Saturday in March in Patterson Park, not a single ball has been thrown yet, not a single shot taken on goal.

Moves Baseball MLB -- Suspended Rangers minor league P Francisco Cruceta 50 games for testing positive for performance-enhancing substance. MARLINS -- Recalled OF Reggie Abercrombie from Triple-A Albuquerque. Optioned OF Eric Reed to Albuquerque. METS -- Signed P Brian Lawrence to minor league contract. REDS -- Released P Rheal Cormier. Placed P Eric Milton (Maryland) on 15-day DL. Activated P Jared Burton from 15-day DL. Colleges NCAA -- Reduced suspension of former Ohio State men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien from five years to two years.

Four days before the NCAA Division I tournament's 16-team bracket is unveiled, this much seems clear. Only two of nine at-large spots appear to be open, and those selections could hinge heavily on the results of this week's America East and Colonial Athletic Association conference tournaments, plus the fates of a couple of bubble teams from the Ivy League and a Patriot League also-ran.

The professional players of the 7-year-old Major Indoor Lacrosse League are tired of getting the short end of the stick.Peter Schmitz, president of the newly organized, 175-member MILL Players Association, said last week that negotiations with league representatives for higher pay, which began Aug. 5, have been unproductive.Schmitz, a five-year veteran with the Boston Blazers, said his members are ready to strike when the eighth MILL season begins in January. The players are seeking at least double their salaries in a pay scale that has not changed since the league was formed in 1987 by Kansas City, Mo., entertainment executives Chris Fritz and Russ Cline, who own all of its teams, including the Baltimore Thunder.

Moves Baseball MLB -- Suspended Rangers minor league P Francisco Cruceta 50 games for testing positive for performance-enhancing substance. MARLINS -- Recalled OF Reggie Abercrombie from Triple-A Albuquerque. Optioned OF Eric Reed to Albuquerque. METS -- Signed P Brian Lawrence to minor league contract. REDS -- Released P Rheal Cormier. Placed P Eric Milton (Maryland) on 15-day DL. Activated P Jared Burton from 15-day DL. Colleges NCAA -- Reduced suspension of former Ohio State men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien from five years to two years.

The Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference will continue to grow this spring. UCBAC commissioner Bob Slagle confirmed last week that boys and girls lacrosse are going to become conference sports for the first time. The change comes because Cecil County has agreed to take up lacrosse as a varsity sport for both boys and girls - which it has never done before. However, the conference alignment will be different from other sports. Instead of splitting teams into the usual two divisions, lacrosse will compete in three groups.

Katherine Marie Struck, a former budget analyst and youth lacrosse league founder, died of breast cancer Sunday at her Odenton home. She was 46. Born in St. Louis, she was the daughter of John J. "Jack" McMahon, a former professional basketball player and coach. She was raised around the country while her father held positions with the Cincinnati Royals, the San Diego Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1979 from what is now McDaniel College and was a budget analyst for the Navy in Washington from 1980 until 1993.