June 1, 2000

Gary Shelton For Bucs, Young worth a look What we do not know is this: In a league where 31 teams share, oh, about four great quarterbacks, might any of them be willing to throw away a perfectly good one? Bucs McKay: Bucs unlikely to pursue free agents TAMPA -- At the end of the NFL draft on April 16, the most anticipated date of the off-season for Bucs fans became June 1. NHL Stalled Stars hoping they find a jump-start From attending a baseball game to getting a haircut, Dallas' players try everything to get going. Devils go easy on Belfour EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Devils were angels.

Devil Rays [Times photo: Jonathan Newton] Rays win ... wait ... yes, win After umps cancel final out, Tampa Bay comes out to finish off Orioles. Union talks realignment ST. PETERSBURG -- The path to the National League may be getting tougher for the Devil Rays. Umps' statement This is the statement released by third-base umpire John Shulock, head umpire for Wednesday night's game against the Orioles. Graffanino dealt for pitching help ST. PETERSBURG -- If there is anything positive about the most recent rash of Devil Rays joining the disabled list, it's that the team can march a lot of different players through the clubhouse and perhaps find a few who can help. Tonight: Rays vs. Orioles

Softball
FireStix look for second league title
PLANT CITY -- When it comes to championships won by Tampa's professional sports teams, the Rowdies' 1979 North American Soccer League title and the Storm's 1996 ArenaBowl victory are usually thought of first.

Lightning
Richards, eager for camp, signs
Brad Richards' memories of last season's Lightning training camp are not good.

Motorsports
Unlike Stewart, Martin remaining mum for now
Mark Martin can come off as dull and boring.

Preps

• Four Leopards named all-state
  Hernando's Chrissy Hartley, Kimi Olmstead and Beth Chatman were named to the Class 3A all-state softball team Wednesday.
• Three Bulldogs named all-state
  Zephyrhills teammates Mike Stepp, Brett Cimorelli and Danny Wardell slugged their way onto the Class 4A all-state baseball team.
• West wins 7-4 in error-filled game
  NEW PORT RICHEY -- The enemy was within for some players in Wednesday's Sunshine Athletic Conference all-star game at River Ridge.
• Berkeley catcher to sign with Bulls
  TAMPA -- Berkeley Prep senior catcher Kris Courier has orally committed to play at South Florida, his coach, Fred Pisano, said Wednesday.
• Errors don't deflate new TC coach
  Crusaders hold their own but a few mistakes cause two lost quarters in jamboree.
• Gladiator, Falcon named to 4A all-state team
  Boof Bonser of Gibbs and Cory Agar of Dunedin were named to the Class 4A first-team all-state baseball team.
• It's all relative: A King leads Gibbs
  PINELLAS PARK -- In a five-team spring football jamboree, Gibbs won the first two quarters, Lakewood won the last two, and if Cedric King keeps this up, Shaun King soon might have an identity crisis.

Golf
Liquid refreshment
Liquidmetal Golf, a southern California company, is making an impact after being introduced last year.

Confidence, game back for Tampa's Goetze-Ackerman
A decade ago, a playoff pairing that pitted her against a Hall of Famer and an up-and-coming young pro would have all but been ordained for Vicki Goetze.