Teams

The men who play baseball and soccer at Towson University, run track at the University of Delaware and wrestle, swim or golf at any number of other colleges all heard the same reason when their teams were cut: Title IX. To meet the federal law's goal of providing equal opportunities for athletes of both genders, schools have eliminated men's teams to keep their overall rosters in line with the number of women playing sports. But a growing chorus is crying foul. "People are really upset that they're dragging Title IX through the mud to cut sports teams," said Towson University graduate Scott Hargest.

The Baltimore County baseball coaches released their 2013 picks for top players, coaches and all-county teams earlier this week. The full list is below. 2013 Baltimore County baseball awards Baltimore County Player of the Year: Sam Stark, Towson, senior Baltimore County Pitcher of the Year: Matt Evans, Eastern Tech, senior Baltimore County Offensive Player of the Year: Kris Ewers, Dulaney, senior Divisional Coaches of the Year: Division I -- Rich Hambor, Catonsville; Division II -- Brad Eastham, Towson; Division III -- Brian Powell, Dundalk Sportsmanship Award: Division I -- Hereford; Division II -- Loch Raven; Division III -- Chesapeake-BC All-Baltimore County first team Pitcher: John Klein, Catonsville, junior Pitcher: Matt Evans, Eastern Tech, senior Pitcher: Aidan Miller, Towson, senior Infielder: Kyle Kershner, Towson, senior Infielder: Tyler Silbersack, Franklin, junior Infielder: Sam Stark, Towson, senior Infielder: Kris Ewers, Dulaney, senior Infielder: Tyler Smith, Western Tech, senior Infielder: Jay Patti, Hereford, senior Infielder: Logan Countryman, Loch Raven, senior Infielder: Cody Gwinn, Eastern Tech, junior Outfielder: Ryan Silcott, Franklin, senior Outfielder: Bobby Donald, Dulaney, senior Outfielder: Paul Walter, Eastern Tech, senior Outfielder: Robbie Wheelton, Catonsville,...

The Columbia Flier and Howard County Times' all-county teams are chosen by the sports staff in consultation with the coaches. Next week, look for the all-county teams for boys and girls lacrosse, baseball and softball.

Women's college lacrosse McDonogh trio among IWLCA 1st-team honorees Six players who attended Baltimore-area high schools earned Division I first-team All-America recognition from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association on Wednesday. Three of the six attended McDonogh: Duke junior defender Taylor Virden , Florida senior attacker Kitty Cullen and Maryland freshman midfielder Taylor Cummings . The other three were Maryland senior defender Iliana Sanza (St. Paul's)

I am so upset over the news that the University of Maryland may cut so many teams to address the athletic department's deficit ("Eight teams targeted to be cut," Nov. 15). With all state money the University of Maryland receives, this is not understandable! Where will out future Olympians train and who will be able to partake? Bettye A. Frantz, Gwynn Oak

Disregard Nate Silver David Teel Daily Press Nate Silver likes Louisville, Florida, Indiana and Gonzaga, and given his Obama-Romney projections, disagreeing is perilous. But let's anyway. Ohio State has won eight straight, including a road conquest of Indiana and Big Ten tournament wins over Michigan State and Wisconsin. Miami won the ACC regular season outright, and the league tournament, and six of the last eight teams with that double have reached the Final Four.

Experienced volleyball players are needed for women's teams and co-ed teams that play in Prince George's County's fall volleyball leagues. Female setters experienced in 5-1 and 6-2 play are needed for a team that finished in first place for the winter/spring season. Full-time and substitute middle hitters are also needed. Male power hitters/blockers are needed for a co-ed team that plays on Sundays. League play begins the end of September. Contact Diane at 301-776-3805.

We're less than a week into the 2011 MLB season, but recent history shows that the undefeated Orioles are in pretty good shape to return to the playoffs at season's end. Meanwhile, the winless Red Sox and Rays are already on the ropes. According to data provided to USA Today by the Elias Sports Bureau, 20 teams have started a season 4-0 since 1995, which was the beginning of the wild-card era. Twelve of those teams -- that's 60 percent -- have made the playoffs. Meanwhile, 25 teams got off to a 0-4 start in that span, and only two -- eight percent -- made it to the postseason: the 1995 Reds and 1999 Diamondbacks.

Maryland president Wallace D. Loh announced Monday his "heart-wrenching" decision to eliminate eight of the university's 27 sports teams due to severe budget issues, but he preserved for the teams the longshot possibility of being retained through supporters' fund-raising. Loh said at a grim news conference that he had accepted the recommendations of a university commission released a week earlier that the teams be discontinued, effective July 1, to create "a leaner, stronger athletic program.

Tae Strain of Demi and Marc Dixon of Bistro Blanc are teaming up to create a one-night only collaborative  dinner. The menu for the seven-course Spring Tasting Dinner will be served at Bistro Blanc on Monday night. Strain says there will be surprises along the way. Tempted? Seating for the $125 dinner is very limited, and reservations need to be made in advance. Call Dixon at Bistro Blanc to make them. (1st course) Strawberry Carpaccio, "Burrata", Balsamic Pearls, Crispy Basil (2nd course)

The reality of Maryland's first season in the Big Ten became a little clearer Thursday, when the league announced the 2014 schedule for its 14 members. The Terps will play their Big Ten opener Sept. 27 at Indiana and their home opener a week later against Ohio State at Byrd Stadium. Maryland will also play at home against Iowa (Oct. 18), Michigan State (Nov. 15) and Rutgers (Nov. 29), and on the road at Wisconsin (Oct. 25), Penn State (Nov. 1) and Michigan (Nov. 22). Iowa and Wisconsin represent the two non-East Division opponents.

When men's lacrosse coach Joe Breschi left Ohio State after the 2008 season to fill the same post at North Carolina, he took with him his network of connections with the Baltimore metropolitan area. Since his departure, however, the Buckeyes have maintained a pipeline to Charm City, using it to help build a roster that's only three wins from a national championship. Ohio State has six Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association players hailing from Baltimore, which is the second-most among the eight teams left in the NCAA tournament.

The Aberdeen Dive Team's Summer season will start May 28 with practices taking place at the Aberdeen Swim Center. Head Dive Coach Rick Culbertson is looking for new boy and girl divers from ages 4 to 18 who want to try a new and different sport. This is the only diving tam in Harford and Cecil counties. The team competes in the Central Maryland Dive League The team dives on a 1-meter dive board and kids can do jumps, basic front and back dives and more advanced dives with flips and twists.

The one-liners never stop when you're around Team O'Neill. Sometimes all that's missing is a brick wall, a stool and a microphone stand. Take the other day, for instance. Jockey Kevin Krigger has Goldencents out for his regular morning gallop in preparation for Saturday's Preakness. Trainer Doug O'Neill and his crew are watching it from the press box high atop Pimlico Race Course . As Krigger walks the Santa Anita Derby winner onto the track, the jockey looks up and waves.

Cut by the Ravens in early April, linebacker and special teams standout Brendon Ayanbadejo still hasn't ruled out playing in the NFL during the 2013 season. He works out daily and keeps himself ready in case a team calls and the situation is right. But right now, the 36-year-old is far too busy with other endeavors to be consumed with whether his 10-year NFL career is over.   “There's not anything that I have to do right now so If the football angle has exhausted itself because there's no more options in football, then that will come to a close on its own and then there will be a point where I have to announce my retirement.

DIVISION III MEN No. 4 Stevenson (20-2) Coming up: Vs. No. 12 Salisbury, Sunday, 7 p.m., Mustang Stadium Comment: Of the reigning national champion Sea Gulls' 11 losses since 2010, five have occurred at the hands of the Mustangs. Junior attackman Chris Dashiell has recorded 53 assists this year, which is the third-most in a single season at Stevenson. No. 12 Salisbury (17-5) Coming up: At No. 4 Stevenson, Sunday, 7 p.m. Comment: The Sea Gulls hold a 10-5 advantage in this series, but the Mustangs won the most recent meeting, 10-8, on April 3. Senior midfielder Eric Kluge, who leads the offense in goals (39)

Luckily, they don't trot out the old “defense wins championship” cliché as much in baseball circles - but there's no denying there have been teams who improve their 'D' and then find increased success . So, as we continue to poke and prod at the Orioles' competition in the American League East, it's worth a quick check of how these teams have been addressing their glovework in the offseason. Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com wrote this week about the propensity of John Farrell (and his third base-infielders coach Brian Butterfield)

Colleges Terps ' Schwarzmann, Aust, Cummings receive year-end honors Synapse Sports honored three Maryland women's lacrosse players with annual awards: Katie Schwarzmann (Century) is Midfielder of the Year, Alex Aust is Attacker of the Year and Taylor Cummings (McDonogh) is Rookie of the Year. Other winners were Florida's Mikey Meagher (Goalie of the Year), Syracuse's Becca Block (Defender of the Year), Northwestern's Christy Turner (Unsung Hero of the Year)

Troubled inside linebacker Rolando McClain informed Ravens officials Wednesday that he will retire from the NFL, a decision he reached before participating in one practice with his new team. McClain signed with the Ravens on April 12, was arrested just nine days later and then made the surprising decision Wednesday to call it quits on his playing career at the age of 23. Taken eighth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2010 draft, McClain played just three seasons, his career marred by on-field inconsistency and off-the-field legal issues.