Seven local squads are taking part in the National Amateur Baseball Federation 17-under World Series, which gets under way today with games being played at nine sites in and around Lynchburg. 

GREENSBORO, Ga. — There aren’t any reminders in Jim Grobe’s Wake Forest office of his time at Liberty High School. No game balls. No pictures. Those are tucked away safely in his home.
He likes to keep his workspace decked out in black and gold out of loyalty to his current head coaching job.
But he certainly is fond of his time in Bedford.

SOUTHPORT, England — Gusts that approached 50 mph required Greg Norman to manufacture shots from his 53-year-old memory Saturday in the British Open, which he called among the toughest tests he has ever faced in golf.

Virginia Tech has received its eighth and biggest football commitment for the Class of 2009: multi-purpose player David Wilson, who has picked the Hokies over Auburn, Clemson and Michigan, among several others.

MIDLOTHIAN –– Liberty University coach Jeff Thomas shot a second-round 69 to move out of a 20-way tie for 28th place into 10th position Friday in the State Open of Virginia at the Par-72 Independence Golf Club.

SOUTHPORT, England — Tiger Woods on crutches was supposed to be a chance for someone else to seize the spotlight at the British Open. Greg Norman wasn’t the guy anyone had in mind.

Returning titleists fared well in Thursday’s first round of the State Open of Virginia at the Par-27 Independence Golf Club in Midlothian.

FOREST — Appomattox graduate Adam Marshall trailed Randolph-Henry graduate Corbin Pillow by three strokes going into the last three holes of the Central Virginia Junior Golf Tournament, Thursday at Colonial Hills.

SOUTHPORT, England — From sunny San Diego to bleak and blustery Royal Birkdale, the expression on Rocco Mediate’s face didn’t change.

SOUTHPORT, England — The claret jug deserves an asterisk. How else to describe a British Open in which the winner did not have to beat the best player around? Your name is engraved on the oldest trophy in golf, but did you really earn it? Was it a true test?

Faber Jamerson’s surgically repaired left wrist is still healing. By his admission, he’s still only playing at 85 percent, which is about 85 percent better than he felt during last year’s SunTrust State Open of Virginia.

Forty golfers 18 years and under competed in Wednesday’s opening round of the Central Virginia Junior Golf Championship at London Downs Golf Club. More than half of those played in the 15-18 division, including Appomattox graduate Adam Marshall, who is tied with Corbin Pillow for the lead with a first-round score of 74.

Playing in two tournaments in six days this past week took a toll on Lynchburg Hoops, which traveled from Myrtle Beach, S.C., to Morgantown, W.Va., on Sunday between the two showcases.

NEW YORK (AP) - J.D. Drew wondered whether he’d be pitching soon. Clint Hurdle sounded out David Wright about his mound prowess.

PAU, France — Frank Schleck of Luxembourg wants ideas. The Tour de France resumes today and he’s trying to figure out how to erase his one-second deficit to race leader Cadel Evans of Australia. 

MILWAUKEE — Brett Favre finally is speaking for himself: He wants to play but doesn’t feel welcome in Green Bay, so he’s asking to be released. 

SILVIS, Ill. — Kenny Perry beat Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson in a playoff to win the John Deere Classic and escape with his third victory in five starts after bogeying the 18th hole on Sunday.

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Just like the last two weeks, Paula Creamer didn’t play well in the final round of a tournament.

NEW YORK — The Chicago Cubs tied the National League record for most players on an All-Star team when Carlos Marmol was selected Sunday to replace teammate Kerry Wood, becoming the eighth player picked for the team.

Rustburg is making history in the Dixie Youth Virginia All-Star O-Zone tournament as two of their players have gotten into the record books with the swing of a bat.

There were two well pitched games on Sunday at City Stadium as a part of the American Legion Baseball Showcase Weekend held in Lynchburg.

FOREST — American Legion baseball teams have to get up pretty early in a game to beat Big Island Post 217.

David Dudley of Lynchburg captured Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year honors by placing 38th in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour’s final 2008 qualifier Friday, the Chevy Open, held on the Detroit River, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.

As the only two Staunton River representatives on a Vinton Post 80 team made up mostly of William Byrd graduates, rising seniors Mike Williams and Zach Divers don’t often get the opportunity to make a major impact.

Twenty baseball games in two days at three sites.

Sound like a logistical nightmare? To American Legion coaches, players and even a few college scouts, it’s a perfect scenario for seeing some of the top talent in the area at one central location over one weekend.

ST. LOUIS — David Peters was born left-handed. It took a few raps on the hand by teachers, but like many in his generation, he switched to being a righty.

If you’ve been swimming, you probably tried it at least once: dive into the water and see how far you can get without taking a stroke. Coast past 62 feet and you could have earned a gold medal at the 1904 Olympics.

NEW YORK—It is high—the likely cost of alimony, that is. It is far. The setting of a divorce trial would be about 1,300 miles from Yankee Stadium. It is gone—that’s essentially what Cynthia Rodriguez said about the hopes of salvaging her fractured marriage with Alex Rodriguez as she filed for divorce from the New York Yankees slugger Monday morning.

BETHESDA, Md.—There was more at stake than just a tournament title for some players at this week’s AT&T National.

BETHESDA, Md. — Anthony Kim wore a knowing smile as he walked up the 16th fairway at Congressional Country Club. His approach shot was nestled less than five feet from the cup, and an adoring crowd on an overcast Sunday gave Kim a raucous ovation.