Cuban volleyball player reported missing in Puerto Rico requests political asylum

October 1st, 2009 Police: Wounded Marlins prospect 'innocent victim'SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Florida Marlins shortstop prospect wounded in a drive-by shooting on this U.S. island was the innocent victim of gangsters battling for control of drug distribution in nearby public housing projects, police said Thursday.

September 30th, 2009 Shortstop signed by Marlins shot in Puerto RicoSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Police in Puerto Rico say a 21-year-old shortstop signed by the Florida Marlins has been shot several times in a drive-by attack. Police spokeswoman Maria Rivera says Osvaldo Martinez Pizarro was wounded while he was driving Wednesday through the city of Carolina, just east of the Caribbean island's capital, San Juan.

September 30th, 2009 Beach players want autonomy within USA VolleyballBeach volleyball players who say they're given second-class status in their own national governing body are asking USA Volleyball to restructure and give them more control over their sport. The long-simmering feud became a concern this summer when the international volleyball federation turned control of the Olympic qualifying over to the governing bodies in each country.

September 24th, 2009 US beats Cuba 5-3 at baseball World CupROME — Former major leaguer Terry Tiffee hit his fourth home run of the baseball World Cup and the United States beat Cuba 5-3 on Thursday in a likely preview of this weekend's final. The United States stretched its winning streak to 12 games after opening the tournament with a loss to Venezuela.

July 30th, 2009 Puerto Rico Islanders top Toronto FC 1-0TORONTO — Kendall Jagdeosingh lifted the Puerto Rico Islanders to a 1-0 win against MLS team Toronto FC on Wednesday night in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round. San Francisco of Panama beat San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad 2-0 at home, and Liberia of Costa Rica also secured an opening win with a 3-0 home victory over Honduran club Real Espana.

July 13th, 2009 Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman signs with agentST. LOUIS — Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who defected this month after arriving with his national team for a tournament in the Netherlands, has signed with an agent.

July 8th, 2009 US unbeaten at world junior basketball champs AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The United States and Australia stretched their unbeaten records to six games at the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships Wednesday, heading their pools and emerging as top qualifiers for the quarterfinals. The United States shrugged off Lithuania 76-69 while Australia topped its six-team pool with a 79-74 win over previously unbeaten Croatia.

July 7th, 2009 US tops Puerto Rico at under-19 championshipsAUCKLAND, New Zealand — Howard Thompkins III had 14 points and nine rebounds and the United States qualified for the quarterfinals with an 82-61 win over Puerto Rico at the FIBA under-19 world championships Tuesday. Gordon Hayward had 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the United States, which clinched first place in Group E.

July 6th, 2009 AUCKLAND, New Zealand — United States stayed perfect with an 85-69 win over Greece in a second-round game at the FIBA under-19 world championships Monday. Also, Rutgers guard Michael Rosario scored a tournament-high 54 points and Puerto Rico edged France 90-89.

July 6th, 2009 G Jason Kidd staying with MavericksDALLAS — The Mavericks say they have reached a deal to keep free agent point guard Jason Kidd in Dallas. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Monday that Kidd has agreed to sign a three-year contract for more than $25 million.

July 3rd, 2009 US into second round at U-19 basketball worldsAUCKLAND, New Zealand — Ashton Gibbs scored 18 points to help the United States beat Egypt 112-55 on Saturday, completing a sweep of pool games at the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships. Shelvin Mack added 14 points and John Shurna had 13 points and six rebounds for the Americans, who finished ahead of France, Egypt and Iran in Group B of the 16-team tournament.

July 3rd, 2009 Mystery surrounds missing Cuban pitcherAMSTERDAM — A Cuban pitcher considered by many baseball scouts to be the No. 1 left-handed prospect in the world left his hotel and vanished before the first ball was thrown at a tournament in the Netherlands, leaving his whereabouts a mystery, a spokesman for the Dutch team said Friday.

June 21st, 2009 103-year-old Navarro throws out first pitchSAN DIEGO — Emilio Navarro still has some accuracy, if not the range. Navarro, who at 103 is believed to be the oldest living professional baseball player, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Oakland Athletics-San Diego Padres game on Saturday night.

June 11th, 2009 Mets' Beltran proud of cousin drafted in 1st roundNEW YORK — Carlos Beltran couldn't help himself. Busy with a game against Philadelphia, he wanted a quick update on baseball's amateur draft Tuesday night.

June 5th, 2009 Volleyball hit by 2nd cancellation in GulfLAUSANNE, Switzerland — A second volleyball tournament in the Persian Gulf has been called off due to the recession. World governing body FIVB said on Friday that a beach volleyball World Tour event for men and women scheduled for Oct.