Thursday's Sports shorts

LOCAL RECREATION

Beanbag tourney to benefit Alzheimer’s Association

A beanbag tournament to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association will be held Sept. 12 at Countryside Tap, located at 1831 Tower Road near Sublette. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the tourney begins at 1 p.m.

Entry fee per two-person team is $50 and includes food, beverages, prizes and a disc jockey. More than $1,250 in prize money will be awarded, based on the number of teams entered. Format will be double elimination/blind draw with ACA rules.

It will be held rain or shine. There will also be a raffle. Items include an authentic Bears jersey and a custom set of Bears cornhole boards.

For more information, contact Rudy Rutherford at 815-440-4096.

TENNIS

Williams sisters advance at
U.S. Open

NEW YORK – Serena Williams offered a new, tongue-in-cheek explanation for why she plays so much better at Grand Slam tournaments than other events.

“Maybe it pays more,” she said with a smile. “I guess I’m trying to pay off my mortgage.”

Defending champion Williams joined her sister in the U.S. Open’s third round with a dominating victory, beating 51st-ranked Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-1, 6-1 in less than an hour.

On the men’s side, top-seeded Roger Federer moved into the third round.

MLB

Marlins stars have heated words             in clubhouse

MIAMI – The Florida Marlins’ two star sluggers exchanged heated words in a verbal confrontation in the clubhouse.

A frustrated and injured Hanley Ramirez argued with Dan Uggla in the clubhouse. Uggla accused the injured Ramirez of a lack of desire and effort.

 to win.

He also said Ramirezwasn’t caring because he’s already secured a $70 million, six-year contract.

Ramirez left the Marlins’ 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves with a tight left hamstring. He was taken out of the lineup Wednesday about an hour before the game.

Earlier, Ramirez said that he would keep playing despite being injured, repeatedly saying he was only “10 percent” healthy. But with Florida losing two straight games and falling out of the playoff picture, Ramirez said he “had to keep playing.”